Laura's Loot

a simple pleasures hat

2011-09-28T00:21:00.002-04:00

Last fall I found myself in Purl Soho lost in the yarn for about an hour (maybe more, I'm not saying if it was any more than that). I'm pretty sure that one of the staff members was mocking my indecision but let me tell you - it was hard to choose yarn for the Simple Pleasures hat (and the spiral seat cushions and the endless loop scarves that I was making up in my head for Christmas presents with my imaginary endless time to knit).

I settled on two absolutely wonderful colors, Mulberry, which is made by Jade Sapphire and is a 2 ply Silk/Cashmere blend and First Crush (the secondary yarn, thinner) by Alchemy Haiku. I find the color variation absolutely stunning. You can see how much blue is present in the Mulberry yarn...

Anyway, the hat is a free pattern on Purl's site, and it charmed me with it's simplicity. But don't let that charm fool you - it takes forever to knit even though it's easy ribbing followed by plain old stitching (*note the hat only took 6 days, once I started it last week). The simple pleasures hat is at least 13 inches long, probably closer to 14. It's a slouchy hat. Mine came out slouchier than I intended and I confess that I have wet it and stuck it in the dryer twice on low. It's still a little loose and I think I'll do it once more increasing the heat. I wish I had used #7 needles on the ribbing instead of 8's, I think my inexperience with cashmere led to me not knitting as tightly as I probably should have. Perhaps I thought the silk would lessen the elasticity? It didn't. Well it's still lovely and I think it's going to be wonderful to wear this fall with my cranberry colored coat.

You can view my project file on Ravelry.

in threes cardigan

2011-09-12T12:01:00.000-04:00

I harbored a disdain for knitting until I had babies. It seemed too time-consuming, too fussy. It is still both of those things to me but I've become more appreciative of the slow movement and the fussy movement. The fussy movement is the one that causes you to be more of a perfectionist than you would be, normally. That's sewing, that's knitting - striving for perfectionism but allowing those imperfections to become part of your work. Now that I have the babies, everything can be made smaller which makes projects feel that much more attainable.

My very first knitting project was a Habu textiles scarf made of stainless steel yarn (abandoned). I moved along to the purl soho wedding washcloths (perfect beginner project), I made a hat, I made another hat, and another and another two. I didn't finish a hat, I didn't finish a washcloth, I made three cowl neck wrappy scarves that I invented the pattern for (k200 four rows, p200 four rows - repeat till you run out of yarn ending on the fourth k200 row; chunkier yarn adjust to k180 x 4, p180 x 4), and I didn't start two blankets that I bought a lot of expensive lusty yarn for.

And then last Tuesday I decided it was time to knit a sweater. This is a big step. Big difference between hats and sweaters with buttonholes. But I had some lovely yarn left over from the 8 cowl scarves I planned to make for Christmas last year and all I needed was some #5 24 inch circular needles. So I bought them and some more yarn for another sweater. And while I was at it, I ordered some more yarn for another sweater. It's Ravelry's fault. There are too many pretty things to look at once you determine what you're looking for.

I started the sweater. I made the mistake of not training myself to KFB. Then I found this video and I learned it on my third reconstruction.

Lesson learned. I learned how to cast on backwards loop method with this video.

I knitted 50 rows and saw that I made cap sleeves.

I love my baby sweater. I love my Manos del Uraguay silk blend yarn in Pewter #3064. I love that I'm knitting something a size too big because I worried I'd never ever finish it and didn't want to be heartbroken if the correct size was too far off.

The sweater has been a lovely diversion since it's been raining buckets. Every day since last Saturday. Things have been weird here. Earthquakes, hurricanes and fallen trees, rain rain rain and leaky ceilings. We are getting by and I am keeping my eyes on the knitting.

just three of us

2011-07-30T23:43:00.003-04:00

On Thursday, our eldest daughter went with Auntie and Cousin to visit her grandparents in Pennsylvania. There was a lot of anticipation leading up to her departure. I was particularly worried about how Genevieve would handle Mira's disappearance. I was also sad about how quiet it would be without her cheerful and constant chatter. I was terribly sad when we loaded her into the car, she barely had time to acknowledge the goodbye due to her excitement. Just before she was strapped to her seat I asked, "what about my hug?" My hilarious daughter opened her arms wide (while seated) and said in a deeper voice, "come here Mom." She patted my back, I died.

We took Genevieve out to dinner. Just pizza but it's good pizza. We came home, got her to bed and I read the book Red Bird of Mary Oliver's poetry until I finished it. The house didn't seem depressing, but it did seem different.

Missing Mira is a peculiar thing. She's a busy girl, she likes to do hair, visit the park, play with her dolls and the girls across the street. She watches our iPad and gets books out reading to her toys. She has a wonderful imagination and she lights up when I make something for her or we talk about projects and working on things together. She's a fabulous collaborator and a fierce protector.

In her absence I've been able to spend a lot of wonderful time with the tireless Genevieve. She's about 21 months and about as active as I imagine little boys to be. She can deconstruct a room with fierce determination in the moment it takes you to load a washing machine. She wants to sing "rock-a-baby" at nigh-nigh time. Her vocabulary is growing immensely. So quickly, she always asks "what's this?" and she repeats the words, goes back to the items. She is constantly learning it seems. It makes me wonder if Mira learned in spite of our ignorance. I call Genevieve and she answers, "coming Mommy." She holds my hand as we walk through the house, she is quick to hug and love and mimic everything we do. Maybe I didn't notice as much when we had Mira first, because everything was so new and I knew what amounted to nothing. But now, with Genevieve I particularly notice how similar the girls are and how purely sweet and mostly considerate of each other they are, for now.

And it is for these girls, these people that make me worry about the future of the world that I sew constantly lately. I have doubts and reservations about the time I spend preoccupied thinking of what pattern to make next, which fabrics to pull together, or which projects to invent from scratch. But I am immensely fulfilled by the creativity as it comes in like the tide. It is indeed, sweet satisfaction through sewing and I am grateful for the path my life has taken.

The Explorer Vest from Little Things to Sew

2011-06-02T23:38:00.003-04:00

For my nephew's second birthday last month I decided to stitch up the explorer vest from the new Oliver + S book, Little Things to Sew. I opted to use an Echino dark green solid from my shop and then pulled some stash prints, Alexander Henry's owls on green and a Joel Dewberry woodgrain print for the bias trim. Easy enough to lay out and trace all of the pattern pieces - everything came together pretty quickly. At first I thought I would make the optional pocket bellows with the owls as a contrast print but then started on the back pocket and found it looked really sloppy. I just couldn't handle the fabric flopping outside the bottom of the pocket. So I had to rip it all out. This was as fun as it sounds!

I used the lining fabric to cut out two owls and create a stuffy which I anchored to a ribbon and sewed in a pocket. It can be snipped out if my nephew decides it should be destroyed.

I used an orange contrast thread to secure the pockets.

Looking at the photos now, I am not crazy about the choppy curving on the pocket details - it's hard work! Obviously this reflects my own ironing and patience deficiencies. My four year old daughter loved it and pranced around in the backyard. I hope that her cousin finds it just as amusing but am fine with the fact that it was ultimately thrown to the bottom of the gift pile and soon to be outgrown.

a few things that I'd like for my birthday

2011-04-07T23:49:00.001-04:00

So... 35 this year.
I've decided that there are a few things I'd like to have. Some people (perhaps my husband?) would like to know.
I spotted this bag today on the elements of style blog:

It's from a shop called Harabu House, it's amazing. Particularly because it's only $66!

I'd like a few books and this one ranks among them.

Vera: The Art and Life of an Icon

Of course, I just turned on cable and a movie called Attack on Darfur is on and now I feel like an a*hole for even thinking about shopping or presents. And while this is a dramatization, my heart breaks for Africa but I've got to turn it off because I'm just about to lose it. Have you seen the PBS special Pushing the Elephant? It's set in the Congo, Rose Mapendo is an amazing lady. The things she has done for love and dignity.

So perhaps instead of birthday presents we can just send something to her foundation.

4th Birthday

2011-03-29T23:40:00.004-04:00

Mira's birthday has come and gone, we planned a Puppet/Bunny themed party for her in 8 days. It was planned in my head for longer, I assure you, but the final coming together and invitation debacle took place in 8 short days.

Initially I wanted to have a pony party (with a pony) because I heard she and a couple of other girls were devoted to the ponies in her classroom. I hoped these were replica ponies and NOT my little... In the meantime, I was fixing my sights on several Oliver + S projects in the new book and was hit with a spot of brilliance, the Puppet Theater was the perfect thing to make because I could easily plan a puppet-craft party. It would give the kids a job, it would be a loose theme and if I could determine an inspiration point it would be a done deal. Some googling found rather wonderful puppet crafts, I have to say Made by Joel and the Crafty Crow are the two best resources I can think of for paper crafting with children. I think it was when I saw a "Where the Wild Things Are" themed puppet collection that I hit it, it was going to be a rabbit theme. Either Peter Rabbit or Moon Rabbit. I decided that Moon Rabbit's simplistic drawings and bold style would be the easiest to plan, and it's a book I'm rather fond of after finding it at the library.

In several hours I made the Puppet Theater, in an evening Mira and I cut, glued and hole punched the garland, in an hour I drew the bunnies (as well as flowers, guitars and purses) on card stock for mounting on wooden sticks. In a night I prepped punch and whatever else I could and still I was completely exhausted by the time the party started on Saturday morning. But I think it came together nicely.

Here are a few details from the party:

Carrot Garland

Puppet Theater and Puppet Craft

Fairy Berries

S'more Kabobs

Crayon Roll-Up Favors

A very happy birthday girl at the end of the day

The Stacks

2011-03-29T16:00:00.000-04:00

In honor of Mira's birthday I popped into a wonderful children's bookstore in Roland Park and bought a huge stack. Usually Mira prefers princess themes (or she says she prefers princess themes but I give her more credit than that) but it has turned out that the book she loves the most is the one she first shunned. This morning Genevieve and I set out to photograph and review them.

This Christmas I decided to begin each of my daughter's Beatrix Potter collections, Mira is up to #3. We haven't read this one yet, but I have found that she becomes remarkably tired when we read books 1 & 2. I love the early 20th century English language style, "Presently..." is used on frequent occasions. And of course, Potter's drawings are beyond charming.

The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter

The next book that has become an absolute favorite is by Mo Willems. The ladies at the bookstore said kids just love these books because they're terribly funny in the best way. They were quite right.

Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! by Mo Willems

Mira's favorite part is here, right after the pigeon yawns. Have I mentioned that we have a difficult time with bedtimes at our house?


Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! by Mo Willems

T is for Terrible by Peter McCarty

When the bookstore lady brought me this one I was skeptical. Dinosaurs for my girls? What is hilarious is that I instantly thought of Genevieve. She breaks things, she is not exactly delicate. So when I read this next page, "I cannot help that I step on little flowers when I walk" I felt a little heart string tug.

T is for Terrible by Peter McCarty

"I cannot help that I grew so enormous and so enormously hungry." That is so Genevieve!

T is for Terrible by Peter McCarty

Hondo & Fabian by Peter McCarty

Hondo & Fabian is cute for siblings because there's always one that feels left behind.

Hondo & Fabian by Peter McCarty

So affirmative! Poor Fabian IS going to the living room to play with the baby. As IF a cat that rotund ever had a choice.

Hondo & Fabian by Peter McCarty


Library Lion by Michelle Knudson

This is the book that was shunned. It's the best one in the lot. One day, a Lion just shows up for story time at the library. And since the lion was not breaking any rules, he was allowed to stay. Each subsequent day the lion shows up a little earlier and so he is put to work dusting and helping children reach books up high. And he stays contented for story time each day.

Library Lion by Michelle Knudson

One day the lion is forced to break the rules, and he {SPOILER} leaves, dejected. It takes a while but he does come back, and the way it happens is quite touching. But I have a strong sentimental streak and it really doesn't take much to make me a little tear-y.

Library Lion by Michelle Knudson

Adele & Simon by Barbara McClintock

I actually went in because I saw this in the window. It looked so darn turn of the century and French it could not be resisted.

Adele & Simon by Barbara McClintock

The story follows Adele & Simon through Paris after school as Simon loses just about everything he was supposed to take or wear home. How tiring for his big sister!

Adele & Simon by Barbara McClintock


The Very Fairy Princess by Julie Andrews & Emma Watson Hamilton

I had to get her a princess book and then I saw this one by Julie Andrews and her daughter. It's about finding your inner sparkle. And that's nice.

The Very Fairy Princess by Julie Andrews & Emma Watson Hamilton

winterlands

2011-02-17T23:39:00.003-05:00

About two weeks ago I found myself at the beginning of a reading frenzy. I started here, with this Swedish book that my father gave me for Christmas. This was a great crime book set in remote areas of Swedish forests. Of course I googled the village names and found myself further in to my need to get to vacation in a remote area of Sweden (and while that sounds like a lovely idea everything I've read indicates that locals are not exactly fond of tourists). While I'm not particularly outdoorsy there's something alluring about the forests, lakes, light, islands, green summers and snow.

I brought the book to my Aunt's house, on the day that our house lost power for nearly 24 hours. And while that sounds mild, it seemed like the end of the world which always gets me thinking about the end of the world. I suspect that if the power systems shut down in winter our houses would fall apart in only a couple of months because our house seemed downright abandoned after 16 hours without electricity.

Perhaps you're curious about what I thought was important as I packed for the end of the world (or what the power company estimated as 3-4 days without power)... I packed clothes for each of us, our dog (forgot her food), everything edible from our refrigerator, two books, my laptop, some knitting, enough toys for a birthday party and six or seven guests, an entire bag full of fabric and patterns to trace because I was going to have SO MUCH TIME. Oh yeah, and my work stuff too. Here's what I did during the 8 hours at my aunt's:

took a shower, fed the kids lunch, read a little, and watched Ponyo with the kids. Have you seen that on Netflix/on demand? It's weird but the kids love it and it is narrated by an all star cast.

Resolute 2011

2011-01-04T15:10:00.002-05:00

I didn't make any. I admire a couple of posts I've read from ladies reflecting on the past year. I admire that they can REMEMBER it! I used to remember things but not any more. Suddenly I have the parental disorder where every aquaintance's name is Skip or Charlie. It's a real disorder. Look it up on wikipedia, skipophrenia. Did I make you look, no? Okay it's not real.

So this year I'll let you know the things I've been working on and I won't make any actual resolutions. Let's call it a modest wish list.

Learn how to use my NEW SERGER (thanks, Husband!)
Run a ~~half marathon~~ (done, June 2011!) with high school friend Heather who comes all the way from Philly (she ran it last year when my aunt Val and cousin Jen ran the 10k with me). It was quite hot so let us pray for milder temperatures or else I'm going to have to wear the drink belt like she did. It's not quite as stylish as you might think. But I don't think style has much to do with running, the style is in the doing part.
Cook at home more frequently (off to a good start and working through the new sneaky chef cookbook: chocolate egg creams, sneaky bonbons, mac muffins)
Get the word out on CHARM STITCH. Go there! Buy something! Oh, and my husband's baby, RackTop, it's for the technology inclined people. If you read slashdot or anything like that you'll probably know what I mean. So I have to get through a stack of library books about internet marketing. Lots to do!
I'm going to put be in the moment here again. It is so hard! What a gift you have if you have no idea what I'm talking about.

halloween musings

2010-10-24T21:13:00.000-04:00

I know I'm due a birthday party wrap up. It's coming. This one is about Halloween, and my lack of preparation.

We've always managed a pumpkin for halloween. Maybe not carved, but certainly one rotting on the front porch. On one occasion I was determined to make pumpkin soup served in hollowed out smallish pumpkins, a simple desire that became insanely difficult and caused at least two people to think I was completely bonkers. I attribute this perfectionism to my Grandma E, who is known to serve tropical chicken salad in hollowed out baby pineapples. That kind of detail is nothing short of inspirational and she did that before the rest of us even heard of Martha.

So as usual, we've had our pumpkins at least two weeks. They're sitting in the dining room waiting for the massacre. I've had the costume ideas worked out for weeks until several days ago when I began rethinking the whole shebang.

It was to be:
Husband : Beekeeper
Wife: Beehive (I have a marie antoinette wig that is perfect for housing this)
Kid B: Baby Bee
Kid A: Rapunzel or Jessie/Cowgirl

It is too hard to find bees. I don't want to make them.

I'm pretty sure Kid A is sticking with the cowgirl and I feel confident that we will not have to bow to Disney and buy Jessie for $40. I found a stick horse/hobby horse idea or two and will be working that up, see here and here, I'm good with those two but she likes this. She has a plaid subtly western shirt that is beyond adorable and corduroys. I think with a hat we've got gold. But where will I find that now that I have procrastinated all this time?

I've decided to be a bandit. My sister gave genevieve an adorable kerchief bib that once put on made me have to have one for myself. I'm thinking I'll be a french bandit. Because I have a blue and white boat neck shirt that I wear most days and it will be jailbird-y enough. Some boots would be good but that's a decision that takes more time than I have. I thought the baby would be a cute bandit. But I've been ogling this owl costume on Flickr since I favorited it months ago. How cute is that? Too cute. Worth making a doll of it. Worth adapting it for Kid B. She will be an owl.

E has his own ideas. Involving arms. Which reminds me of my idea a few years ago to have one freaky little doll hand arm like the SNL/Anne Hathaway "sisters" skit recalling one of those shows I never had to watch, singing talent trash from the 40's. E's grandmother used to enjoy watching that stuff so he was familiar. I have no context.

And that's it. How I will finish any of this before the Halloween parade on Friday will be the interesting part.

rainbows ahead

2010-10-16T23:31:00.004-04:00

Genevieve is turning one next week! We're planning a teeny tiny party to celebrate and everything is coming up rainbows.

the invitation, minus the important details.

Here are the points of inspiration:
a website logo that gave me the idea
living room art at lonny (it's the watermelon colored room with Miro-esque art)
some polka dot cookies with candy decorations
rainbow sprinkles on top of at least five things in this magazine. Thanks, Annette!
a rainbow cake demonstrated on martha (which sadly I will never make, one of us has a blue food phobia).
crazy lollypops, you remember*
these streamers in rainbow
this adorable thing if I had time and magnificent spare ribbons in that quantity
cute party hats with lots of patterned paper
some kind of childish snack food
and ice cream. one, two and three (TBD by my love)

*picture it, 1981. Back from Cape Coral after visiting our grandmother and grandfather my cousin and I were greeted by two enormous rainbow spiral lollipops. Too unforgettable and large for my parents to retract I hid behind my dresser for months (days, weeks?) until it was gone. The result, three cavities. Permanent molars. Still there though the original mercury has been replaced with the materials of tomorrow.

no pictures

2010-09-26T20:55:00.000-04:00

Oh I dropped the ball with the last bit of the KCWC thing. I put in my hours, on average. However, since Thursday not a stitch has been placed. Though I did knit a little bit today.

On the other hand, I cleaned up quite a bit and now have a box full of clothes and heels that I no longer wear and wonder if I should list it in the etsy shop or start a new shop. I've got quite a lot.

KCWC: days 3 -4

2010-09-23T17:27:00.002-04:00

jump rope dress, view b: size 3

So while yesterday I stated that I did not prefer the jump rope dress's view A, today I will declare that I LOVE view B. Maybe my second favorite pattern of the summer, next to the ice cream dress top (view C).

quilting cottons and a cotton poplin (the skier)

Here's how I spent my "hour" on Day 3: shopping. Big surprise, right? With all this sewing I had to buy something. Just had to. I have been determined to use some of the liberty cotton that I finally splurged on a couple of weeks ago and I thought it would look lovely trimming this dress in corduroy. So I bought the finest, softest cord I could find and went to work. Last night I pre-cut the fabric and prepped the placket area. I also plotted something crazy and decided I *had* to make a capelet for Mira. Maybe one for baby G too. So whilst I was whistling away at the fabric shop I found some sale wool, precut to 1.75 yards and on sale for cheap considering that the wool is about 1.5cm thick. Really darn thick. Just wondering how I go about attaching these pieces to one another. Quilting/Walking foot? The fabric is navy, the pattern is from a japanese pattern book and the inspiration is the cadet cape from Lauren Moffatt. Red trim, brass buttons. I can hardly wait for tonight!

the capelet

And today, Day 4: I finished the dress you see up top. An adjustment was made to the collar, subtracting an inch from the width and omitting the interfacing. If I'm lucky I'll have time to start the capelet. I may have to call it quits after that because enough is enough. And I do have to study for an exam next week.

KCWC: Fall 2010, days 1-2

2010-09-22T11:30:00.000-04:00

The elsie marley blog has challenged us to sew kids clothes for one week, one hour per day. Its a fabulous idea and really inspires a creative-based competitive edge in me (you know you have one too!).

I took the first night to finish making the Jump Rope Dress, view A which I began during the Jump Rope Sew-Along on flickr. Mira selected this fabric herself. I remember asking, "really?" She said, "yes, really." Okay then, Amy Butler's water bouquet it is. While this pattern is every bit the quality education you have come to expect from Oliver + S, view A is not my favorite. It combines several pieces of torture for me: belt loops, button holes, sash turnarounds, pocket tack downs and hand sewn buttons. Sometimes a girl just wants to be done and something about sewing button holes at the end makes me want to run for the hills. But I got past it, and she's wearing it today. The lady at preschool who helped her out of the car at drop off even complimented her on her dress, the colors, the style, oh my! So it was well worth the effort for that. My comment on the pattern is that I prefer view B, button holes and all. Just sayin'.

Also on day 1, I drafted up my own version of elastic pants and made quick use of some corduroy that I've had hanging about for.ever. It had been pre-washed. One of the few things that are in this household. I rooted through the scrap stash and found some Nani Iro that I knew would make a nice trim. I cut the scraps about 2.5 inches wide ironed them to mimic a double fold bias trim and then enclosed the bottom edge of each pants panel before sewing everything together with a French seam. So far so good, but she's too little to wear them publicly. It cracks me up how they stand up on their own.

Day 2. I have long wanted to do something with the repeat studio fat quarters that I have privately hoarded and not listed on the etsy shop. I intended to do this shirt at the weekend sewing in vt workshop. This is the easiest shirt in the world to make (well, maybe not the easiest, but easily the most stylish easy shirt). I can confidently tell you it takes about an hour to put together. This is the 12-18 month size and it just about used up a whole fat quarter and a tiny bit of black cotton lawn that must have polyester in it because it smells funny when ironed. Careful cutting was involved so the print ran the proper direction and I had to remove a little bit from the middle of the main panel fabrics to make it work but it does. And I love it. A minor mistake in putting together the pattern this time required me to hand sew the bodice/yoke area together. And I may prefer it that way. I was able to make sure all the layers perfectly cover the stitching area and it was nice to step away from the sewing machine for the finishing details. Just something to consider.

Last night I spent some time drafting a shirt pattern and making a muslin for a double gauze shirt I'd like to create to go with the cord pants (above). I forgot to try it on Gigi this morning so no photos right now. I transferred a few Japanese patterns and worked on a knit shirt. I should have gone to bed. It looks like it has potential but no one is going to wear that thing. No one. Ever.

So if you're wondering how I have time for this here's how: I'm too excited to go to bed when I'm tired and I stopped cleaning the house.

Hearts and happiness! All of this sewing is making me feel joyful.

She started something

2010-09-19T22:09:00.001-04:00

The first baby started preschool. The shirt was part of a back-to-school shopping trip I made for her, it worked out. She loved the clothes and looks so darn cute in them.

Here she is with her sister, right before our departure. And yes, I do cart my baby around sans shoes.

This is at the end of the school day. This school feels like home. Every time I think about her being there I get a little choked up.

slow knit

2010-08-30T23:19:00.002-04:00

If slow knit was a movement I would be the leader. Well maybe not the leader because I'm not a very good knitter, let's say I would be there. I ordered my copy of More Last Minute Knitted Gifts from Purl and it is signed. I couldn't resist a signed copy because things like that make life sweeter than not. I should say my skill level is equivalent to having sewn approximately four things to completion. Two washcloths and two hats. They've turned out reasonably well. Generally while I'm knitting my husband comes over and says something like - "you know you can buy a hat for $12. Do you really like doing that?" And while annoying, it is true. Knitting as a beginner is not cheap. You need ALL KINDS of stuff. I estimate I've spent $200 at least, if you include the abandoned Habu scarf with the stainless steel yarn that I had to have. That item alone required three or four kinds of needles.

Yarn from Nido

Well, let's get back to my slow knitting. I bought the prettiest yarn when I was in Vermont. I stopped by Nido - it was beautiful. You should go because Phiona has a wonderful collection of yarn, fabric and publications.

More Last Minute Knitted Gifts - Joelle Hoverson

I selected a pattern from the book, a simple 2-4 hour project. A scarf. And well, it may be a 3-4 hour project if you have edward scissorhands. I don't. So I have knitted about 8 inches, and spent probably 8 hours (pattern calls for about 21 inches). According to the description one hank should quickly whip up 5 of these babies so my friends and I can match. And while I wish this to be true - it is simply not happening like that. I wish these visually stunning books were rated by skill, 2-4 hours for an expert, 4-8 hours for a single person who just started knitting, 8 - never for someone with two kids and no real measurable skill level. Should I decide to abandon this one too, Phiona sent me a link to a scarf that was on display using the yarn in the shop, it looks lovely. I have two hanks so I just might make this one too. Since I'm crazy and completely in denial about time and skill. That's what competitive spirit gets you. That and some new 24 inch size 6 circular needles.

accidental flavorings

2010-08-30T22:57:00.002-04:00

outside an ice cream shop in Chestnut Hill, September 2009

I almost forgot to mention the ice cream recipe that I made up... It is more than good. Maybe the best ice cream I've ever had. I would take a photo but it is dark and I've been hitting it too hard - so please imagine.

mildly vanilla but mostly herbal mint, lemon and thai basil ice cream.

The Base:
2 cups 1% milk
half a vanilla bean (penzeys) sliced open to free the flavor
a handful of mint
a few sprigs of thai basil
a subtle handful of lemon balm
scant 1/2 cup of sugar

The Middle:
3 egg yolks, whisked

The Finish:
1 tsp. penzeys lemon extract
1 cup table cream

Heat The Base in a saucepan on medium to medium high until the milk base bubbles prior to a boil. Take your time to allow the flavors to infuse. Pull off heat and drizzle slowly pouring into the eggs, or The Middle (I suggest pouring through a sieve or coffee filter). Dig your vanilla bean out of the infusions and scrape a little off and put it back into your mixture. Add The Finish. Pour into your ice cream maker and let good things happen. Freeze, enjoy. It won't make enough. You should probably double it.

A note, if you use table cream as I did the mixture may appear a little more ice milky than ice creamy.

the ice cream dress and three flavors

2010-08-30T21:59:00.006-04:00

Alexander Henry Cotton Print size 3, view A, Moda Whimsy size 3: view C, and Heather Bailey Bijoux (ice)/Anna Maria Horner Good Folks (sea) size 12-18 months: view A

Earlier this season Oliver + S hit us with a pattern called the ice cream dress. Originally done in pink, cream and chocolate it was inspired by Neopolitan ice cream, if memory serves. I've been meaning to get started on mine - and was especially motivated when I heard about the "ice cream social" on Flickr but life gets in the way, you know how it goes.

I have no idea how or why, but since Thursday I have made three. Keep in mind that these items were largely prepped because I intended to make them in Vermont (you know, when my pal delirium informed me that I could sew 7 or eight projects in 36-40 hours). Aside from some missing pocket facings and a yoke all cut items were good to go. I have a bad habit of not following through with pattern markings, but after Liesl herself gave us all a lesson in an easy way to transfer with carbon or other marking paper a la ralph lauren - I will do better. I promise.

the one that I adore - heather bailey print with anna maria horner

Now while I love all three of the pairings for different reasons, I really adore this one. I know the colors don't match exactly, but the cheerfulness of the accent print balanced by the bohemian print from Anna Maria Horner make my soul satisfied. And that's what it's all about. And yes, if you care to look at that pocket detail on the left things almost match up. That's as good as it gets people.

So here are my thoughts on the pattern - it's lovely. Go ahead and do it - it doesn't have to be for summer because you can stick a long sleeved tee under it or even make it a little heavier if you must. It is accurately rated two scissors - which I attribute to the fact that you have to read the directions to do it properly. I found the suggestion of sewing a basting stitch to use as a guide completly ingenious. It seems like a new tip and it is one that made my ironing so much easier (but calls for thread pulling later, kind of a bummer when you're ready to be done). There is only one wonky part which seems to have stumped more than one person - it is the part where the bodice meets the yoke on the back, right side. Scary.

pin like mad

I read some feedback from other sewers that feel the dress could rip at this little achilles heel. And if you worry about that I suggest adding a bit of iron on interfacing in that area. But I think it's going to be fine if you don't. Just carefully clip the bodice seam allowance perpendicular just to the seam line. Then you tuck everything under the right side yoke and pin like crazy - I backstitched where the two openings meet at the back of the dress. Everything will be alright. Really. If it isn't you can pour yourself a gin and tonic. Or maybe you should do that anyway because who knows what your kid got into while you were sewing.

Tower of Terror: as retold by a girl who has never been in it

2010-08-30T08:19:00.001-04:00

Tower of Terror

A week ago our neighbors came home from Disney with a number of stories to tell about their adventures. One story was so successful that Mira instantly appropriated and illustrated it. The ride is called Tower of Terror, a story about a runaway elevator that results in quite a large number of casualties (I have not been on the ride but have heard the adventure recounted by the three year old about 100 times... so it must be true). The illustration above reveals some of the riders and the box in the middle is of course, the murderous elevator (a shocking story from the princess people). I was so impressed by her mad narrative story skills that I have scanned it for your viewing pleasure. Her tale of terror follows below.

It was the scary ride that went up. It went up, down and everyone throwed their tongues out. And then everyone died. Then I woke up. The ride was going to crack, and the thunder made it crack and cut off. It was cutting off - so we couldn't go there.

Modern Playtime

2010-08-29T15:04:00.005-04:00

A few hours ago, or since yesterday when we strongly committed to getting rid of a plastic playhouse monstrosity which the neighbors "generously" bequeathed to us, rather than the dump - I began considering how we can get a kick ass new playhouse for not so much money. Even the ugly ones cost $300. A simple google image search found three divine sources of inspiration.

They are: Made by Joel
Kiddo Cabana from the Modern Cabana people
and this inspirational glass house

Here is the plan... convince the husband that he wants to make this (he just appeared unimpressed when I walked him through the above links) BEFORE next year (he seems concerned about the cold, I ignored him because it is still AUGUST). Then - make a simple playhouse possibly with a porch so we can set out some adorable kids chairs. A major plan (which I haven't mentioned to the builder) calls for excavating the slope so the house can tuck under a pine tree and be close enough to the house so I can initiate some illegal wiring (just kidding, but really the place needs a chandelier to be my kind of fancy). All of this may be more than a little impractical because really we'd rather move. But we've been saying that for about 5 years. Maybe 6. And we are still here. Fully improved in this delightful 1980's colonial on a quiet little cul-de-sac in boring ol' Mary-land.

But I just opened up a can of worms that won't stop. What about this? Holy Jebus you can't believe this stuff, can you? It's like 1982. It is. If you look at some of this stuff long enough - particularly the Made by Joel site, you might find yourself knee deep in sensations you had as a kid if you are a bicentennial babe, as I am. I can almost smell the craftiness oozing out of his paperclip furniture. The cork tree branches on the dollhouses? Friggin' genius. It must be Portland, I think the city donates a portion of creativity when you submit your property taxes. A while back all the best stuff was coming out of Australia and New Zealand, and now it is all in Portland. Time to plan a little vacation to pick up on that creativity.

One more playhouse of note, very girly.

(pre)weekend sewing updates

2010-07-30T23:43:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I tore it up with the weekend sewing preparations. I decided I would try Heather's Library Skirt, found on her blog and adapted from a pattern in her book. I traced. I traced the yard sale skirt, huck finn pants, ruby's bloomers and the little flower girl dress too. I figured everything was out so I'd just get to it. So I did. And I pre-cut the nani iro stripes for the skirt, vertically. I thought the waistband looked a little small. I thought, eh so what. I'll lose 5 pounds. Right.

Around 10:30 last night I determined it was time to try to stitch the library skirt. I stitched, I gathered. I pulled it on when the waistband had been attached to the rest. It seemed to make my stomach look like an alien was inside. I noticed a tear in the double gauze. Disaster! I really need to go back and rip out the waistband from the dg, but I don't want to. I'd rather scrap it. Move on. But I think I have to go back to it.

On a brighter note, I was researching the Make it Perfect Kaftan patterns and found myself at the Film in the Fridge blog again. Check her out! This woman is amazing. I am constantly inspired by her quilts on flickr and now her clothing projects are making me jealous too. For example she does a version of the Socialite dress that makes me want it. I was a little worried about it being too roomy in the hips, but she makes it look awesome. I have decided I probably should visit this adorable store she mentions called Nido Fabric in Burlington while I have a few hours to kill before the workshop.

Any place else I should visit? I think I have 3-5 hours before driving to Goshen.

Countdown to Weekend Sewing in Vermont

2010-07-29T12:32:00.004-04:00

I can't believe in two weeks I'll be heading to Vermont for some weekend sewing with Heather Ross. Word on the street is that Denyse Schmidt and Liesl from Oliver + S will also be here. When I dropped these names to my husband and I realized that it is possible to be a sewing geek. Can you relate?

In preparation for my long weekend with sewing interrupted only by sewing authorities, cookies and nature I need to prepare a sewing to do list. I also feel like I should sew something before I go. Of course this is akin to my ill-concieved idea that I should practice yoga for two weeks before going to a class. You know, so I look like I know what I'm doing. Er, whatever.

Here's what I've got in the works:
1. Playdate Dress
2. Bring Tea Party dresses that are in progress, maybe finish?

Poster Fleur - Rainbow Print

3. Yard Sale skirt from Weekend Sewing or the Easy Wrap skirt from Diana Rupp's Sew Everything Book... using the Nani Iro poster fleur rainbow print or the stripe but I had been thinking of using the stripe for
4. a dress...

Saaa Saa

but maybe the stripe should be this skirt that I found when looking for examples of the yard sale skirt:

5. Patchwork pieces to work on for back of Anniversary Quilt
6. A big bag (I was thinking about doing this with the rainbow print) and the bag on the cover of the carry me book (but someone has checked it out from the library, GRRRR)

Fuwari Fuwari

7. Been dying to use this gauze-y fabric for something, thinking a blouse, need a pattern.
That's enough, right? I know. It's way too much. That's why I need to do the blouse, skirt and bag BEFORE I go. So I'll get on that. And I have to trace all the patterns too. Jinkies.

But I still have to select the rest of the fabrics. My goodness, I hear they are charging for checked baggage and I'd rather bring my own scissors. All sorts of logistics.

Dress C: Girly Style Wardrobe

2010-06-30T23:55:00.001-04:00

This was pretty simple. I even goofed up a couple of things (due to the translation/adding seam allowances/where is my mind conflicts), namely: I forgot to add the seam allowances and decided to carry on. Worse things have happened.

So I chopped up some Amy Butler Sandalwood fabric from Love in Tangerine. It's a crazy print. Tangerine, Lavender and Cream. It's nice, but this is the first time I've thought of using it for anything. I have a whole bolt, people - BUY SOME.

As I was sewing the arms in, Mira decided it should be for her instead of her cousin Eloise for whom I was sewing it... 4th birthday, size 110cm, hem drastically shortened.

I decided that it was a little larger than life as a dress and this version should be a pool cover up. And for that, it is perfect.

Naughty Secretary Skirt: Made

2010-06-30T23:36:00.005-04:00

I've gotta tell you, I'm quite pleased with myself. You see I sewed something for myself. Yes, just for me. I think this is a first. How envious I've been of all the beautiful dresses some ladies have time to make for themselves. I've wanted to. But the stars had not quite aligned for me until last week. The sewing machine cooperated, the children napped. I sewed a straight skirt.

I used the pattern from Diana Rupp's Sew Everything book. And I'll update this with a better pattern review. It was my first project from her book and went well enough. There were a couple of parts where I was more than a little bit lost. I'm sure it was all my mistake but sometimes when I'm reading about a project my brain just shuts off and all I can do is think, there's no way I'm ever going to understand this... so I hop off the exit ramp and DImYself. Scary.

So what happened with this pattern was that I had no idea what she was talking about with the whole invisible zipper joining the back seam thing. Partly my fault because I did not buy the invisible zipper foot. Amazingly I made it work, but after wearing the skirt today I think I could probably stand to reinforce the area back there with the INVISIBLE ZIPPER. Never thought I would do that!

Second part was the issue of the slit. Whaaa? I couldn't figure this out. Not enough illustrations, not enough close up photography... not enough people on Flickr posting their project photos. So I totally made a suburban ghetto mess of that. It functions but let's hope no one gets *that close* to my rear. If I make this again I will be reconfiguring the pattern to go with the enclosed slit that I found in the Oliver + S "A-Line Skirt" pattern. It is so MUCH BETTER, CLEANER, MODEST, etc. Because seriously, who wants a slit up their backside? I don't. It's one more vulnerability for me to worry about children exposing my body parts in public.

So here you have me modeling the skirt. I've never been a fan of these downward angles so popular in the nineties... but hey, you get the whole body in and it makes my hips look small... so there. I held the camera all by myself and then I gave myself a nice, golden glow.

Here are the stats and my review:
Pattern grade results: a B-.

Size Small.

The print: Far Far Away Chapter 2, Roses Natural Basecloth, Aqua Colorway.

Bias Trim - Scrap from Stash

Free with purchase but ultimately not polished. I'm going to give one of her bags a try because I do like the style in which the book is written; however, I don't like the lack of close up photography or illustrations. I'm visual, I need details.

G to the Genevieve who eats Japanese bookmarks

2010-06-17T23:06:00.005-04:00

This last image is from Good Girls Cute Clothes. After I made the pink apron with tulle {two posts below} I knew I also had to make this shirt because it was pictured with it. Looking back, I feel like I was inspired several months ago by something I saw on the Katie Did blog. I'm not sure what it was anymore, but I sense it involved yellow buttons or colorful buttons used as an accent on an otherwise simple design. I remember that being part of the reason why I had to buy them. I'm sad that her blog is on hiatus because I was truly inspired by her beautiful children's clothes.

The pattern is the 100cm size, I had to make some corrections after I misinterpreted the pattern and pulled too tightly a strip of 1/4" elastic within the sleeve seams. It made for some cute puffy sleeves; however, the effects of me eyeballing resulted in sleeves more akin to a tourniquet than a puffy sleeve for a three year old. In future incarnations I plan to add some ruffles. I could see flowers, a sleeve embellish or even something front and center anchored by a placket. (Assuming Mira gets over the sleeve incident and allows herself to try it on again...) I'm going to make this shirt five times. Maybe more.

In this simple version on white Kona with yellow Dritz sunflower buttons I added some hand sewing on the back and at the bottom hem with a denim thread that was in my drawer. It may have been nicer to whipstitch and it's possible I'll change it if I ever have the kind of free time that allows for corrections instead of manic project completions. I can't get over that I sewed four projects since last Saturday. I feel like I owe somebody something. Thank you, husband! Thank you, children! I'm sorry for letting the TV watch you.

This is Pattern G. It is featured underneath the adorable apron tutu number that actually appears on the cover.

You're probably thinking about how much you love that green bookmark in the photo. I am. Well Genevieve ate it while I was tracing patterns. I think it had useful information like ISBN numbers. Well La-Ti-Da.

Girly Style Wardrobe... every letter in your book

2010-06-17T22:23:00.003-04:00

And then there's this project... {Pattern A} my first one from the aforementioned shipment of pattern books from Japan. I loved this look, how adorable with the ties, but I thought it was reversible. When I realized it wasn't I opted to make a simple change that could change the history of family photographs For. Like. Ever. After all, who doesn't have a toddler that spills her ice cream all over herself? Well, I do! And this creamy color may not hide chocolate but at least it can be turned for a cleaner look, if need be.

So what I did was double the pieces, eliminate the partial lining pieces and enclose the bottom with careful ironing, pinning and ric-rack to hide the blemishes. I couldn't have been more pleased with myself and this pattern was as easy as it looks. It is the 100cm size, and may be a little big for Mira (3t). She's tiny and if she weren't so tall she would likely be wearing her old baby clothes. Not kidding, but back on point: the beauty of a shirt like this is that it probably has a bit more longevity than most, with the ties allowing for simple lengthening adjustments.

So rock on Girly Style Wardrobe. I think I'm going to love every last letter in your book.

Far Far Away. Chapter 2: the affair begins

2010-06-17T22:06:00.003-04:00

This addiction all started in my head a few months ago when I ordered two Japanese pattern books, Good Girls Cute Clothes and Girly Style Wardrobe. And then the Charm Stitch Far Far Away order arrived last week and I knew what to do.

Lately, I love working with the materials that I have on hand. And every time I pick up a project I think about using something that may promote sales in the Charm Stitch shop. So just that much reasoning was a big enough excuse to tear into the bolts of Rapunzel in Pink... and then Rapunzel in Green (Meadow) and the Roses, which are a bit coral with green, yellow and natural tones. I can't help but think that the moons are next. How cute they will look as an Oliver + S skirt; you know, the one that goes with the brunch jacket.

I have to admit, I didn't know if I would like the cotton/linen blend. A month or so ago I was at the Purl Soho new store opening celebration and felt the Nani IRO 2010 lines and thought it felt a little rugged. And it is, I suppose. But it also lends itself to all kinds of projects that can benefit from larger scale prints (like jackets, bags, pillows, aprons, skirts and I don't know what else, but I will find out). I'm addicted to flipping through my books looking for ways to use the other prints. I almost used the owl and the pussycat for this jacket but I let Mira choose the fabrics and she really wanted another Rapunzel. No one had to twist my arm to put those coral roses alongside her. One confession: the pattern calls for a wackily creative long strip of bias trim on a single cut of fabric. I am very conservative with my cuts and I decided to see what would happen if I cut on the grain instead of the bias (using only 4-8 inches instead of a yard and a half). And I have to say that the tie is heftier than most, but it is fine. I saved oodles of fabric and no one will ever know the difference.

pickling, preserving and fermenting

2010-06-01T08:58:00.003-04:00

Lots of ladies in blogland have been making food from scratch. Ever since I watched HOW TO EAT YOUR LIFE and immediately ordered the TASSAJARA BREAD BOOK I've been on a bread kick, major. I have almost memorized the recipe and would be happy to eat bread for all three meals, including snacks. I'm planning to take the girls to the strawberry fields this morning to get some berries in our basket. Then I want to make preserves and strawberry rhubarb something. I've also been DYING to pickle things. Mostly jalapenos since I can't stop eating them out of the jar (can you wrap your head around two jars in 10 days? I think it's 40 servings). So pickling something, that's important. But I have been planning another something special, yogurt after reading this.

I believe I read something about making ones own butter somewhere, too. This strikes me as possibly up my alley. Martha Washington made her own after all, the mother of all Marthas.

Pickling resource at NYTIMES.

Fixing my sights on a straight skirt

2010-05-24T23:47:00.003-04:00

I need a pattern for a straight skirt. I anticipate my linen/cotton Nani IRO hoard will arrive soon from Japan. And now back to my needs... the skirt, a pattern. I have plenty o'fabric and lots of books. If anyone is reading, have you used the pencil skirt from S.E.W. everything or the Built by Wendy Sew U book? I'd be happy to try an Amy Butler pattern. I digress, I want something cheerful and delicate. I think the new Fuccra prints look close enough to this JCrew skirt. Which I believe is sold out.

Also going on... a pair of shorts utilizing a built by wendy pattern. I've sewn the zipper in and made my way through one column of directions. It took me four tries because I feel that I synthesize directions quickly when I clearly don't (hence multiple appearances of the seam ripper, or maybe the multiple appearances of screaming over-tired baby).
I intended to whip it together tonight; you know before my productivity was derailed putting children to bed for two hours. Then I got stuck under a baby, began reading inspiring posts at Made by Rae and the Selfish Seamstress. But if I have to be stuck let it be here, with this adorable, healthy and sweet sleeping baby and an endless amount of inspired bloggers.
Also held hostage and crammed full of inspiration is the built by wendy dresses book, I'm not allowed to renew it from the library anymore and dread returning it next week. I need a copy! Accepting donations and suggestions. (sound of crickets chirping, hello?)

a springtime dress

2010-04-18T14:09:00.001-04:00

Boy was it a challenge to get our little girl to stand still in this dress. Eric is off-camera making her laugh. This was my weekend project... my first go at a simplicity pattern that I saw first at Posie Gets Cozy. I love her selection of fabrics. I decided to challenge myself to use the bolts in my collection, I've been particularly interested in the contrast between the lower two panels, a little bit of Nicey Jane and a whole lot of Love.

I wound up admiring the way the bodice came out, I think these two prints from nicey jane (heather bailey's latest line) are my favorites. They have a super sweet vintage feel and are also quite springy. What you see here is what happened when I ripped out a section of Tangerine Sun Spots. I liked it so much I put it in twice. It was just too much.

I made the dress from Simplicity's pattern 5695 view B, a size 2. It runs quite large.

in case you need a reminder, here are more reasons why I love Nani IRO/Naomi Ito.

2010-03-10T15:29:00.008-05:00

I just found her website (1), and it's excruciatingly beautiful (2) like this. Surely I suspected she made watercolors and that they were beautiful; but I had no idea they were like that.

The new line for spring has me wanting more precisely all of the bolts from one of the lines {this one}, which is trouble (3). Three of this one, but I'll settle for the chocolate print (4). All of this one, but I'll order the one in the middle {sigh} (5). And I can't help but want to make this dress scoop-necked with this one (a, c, or e)... not horizontal (6)! I just love the way the prints are unusually laid out (7), making a top & bottom look like two totally different prints or a dress look completely original and not like something you whipped together from a common fiber.

And as usual, you can find some patterns here (and that makes 8).

read these, thank me later.

2010-03-01T00:20:00.004-05:00

I've read all three of Jhumpa Lahiri's books and I encourage you to do the same. Start anywhere. I happened to read them chronologically by date written. I must have picked up the Interpreter of Maladies book a couple of Christmases ago and saved it for myself. The effects lasting enough to make me remember her name while I was at the library long enough to browse for something past the Children's section.

The Pulitzer Prize winning Interpreter of Maladies was solidly good, memorable but it didn't affect me quite as much as either The Namesake or Unaccustomed Earth have this past week. That's right, I read TWO books in one week. Lucky for me, our baby is more than happy to feed as long as there is something to eat and I have learnt how to balance a baby, water, a book and incessant demands of a toddler from the couch (Sophie makes a fine Sherpa).

I don't know where to start with these beautifully crafted stories that don't reflect nostalgia, but do carry an air of sadness, wistfulness, a loss of place, sense of delayed longing without hope. Several times she got me, I knew what was coming but really not until the page prior. Thank goodness Lahiri doesn't delay with delivery. Some of her short stories follow a similar pattern of family, education, certainly location; a few are so different they are hard to delve into but a reader does anyway. There's something there, though. Some feeling; fleeting just on the edge of our personas... the point where we want to give more, say something and we don't. Something happens and our lifetimes are irrevocably different. Maybe nothing happens but the moment is gone; the paths changed, relationships ceased. As I reached the last 15 or so pages of either book I was filled with equal parts devouring anticipation and bitter sadness for the end.

I'm enchanted by authors that can glide easily between male and female characters without apparent difficulty. In some cases, you might say she writes better from the perspective of a man than a female. Certainly her younger characters are closer to her, more developed. One particular story discusses the conflict of a child - born in America but visiting relatives in Calcutta whom his parents long to be with but not feeling any particular attachment to them. He comes home, none of his american friends ask about his absence. Sadly, I've been that American. Only now, twenty or more years later do a regret not asking a boy from Africa more about his life, a friend from India what her travels were like. Were they too exotic? Didn't I care? Did I not know how to ask? Clearly I wasn't alone in my ignorance.

Alas, you won't find any spoilers here, I can't take that away from you. Just go, go to the library or order it now. I'm sorry I don't own these two. They're so good I'd never lend them but will plan to give them, to spread the love.

Strangely enough, though the stories mostly fall between Cambridge and Calcutta I have the strongest desire to visit London.

So like I said, read these - thank me later.

Diversions

2010-02-25T00:19:00.003-05:00

I certainly don't have much free time, but I have enough that I have started plotting my next series of projects. I have to go pick up the babylock from the doctor's office and then all heck is gonna break loose on that thing. Assuming it can handle it.

Here are my plans...

1. Birthday quilt for my dad, simple and inspired by one that I saw on the katie did blog. God how I love orange. I may just appropriate the whole orange trim thing, though I bought some tiny prints for back up.

2. Duvet for us. Something cheery like the "film in the fridge" lady does. Gonna go bento boxy on some old heather bailey fabrics.

3. Quilt that I see equally at home on our bed atop a white duvet cover (thinking new sheets appropriate for fourth anniversary gift), or down here on the couch, where I am now. I'm using the momo wonderland tomato prints.

4. Curtains for us. Thinking about white tops with a chevron bottom, either black & white or yellow & white. Problem is, not sure which will go well with either of the quilts I have planned. I have to say, I'm leaning toward yellow. In a pinch, I could find an espresso/ivory stripe.

5. Lastly, I have to find out if I can get this Amy Butler Tangerine Polka Dot fabric anywhere. I've long wanted to make some bold curtains for Mira's new room. I think they would really liven the joint up.

I hate LOL

2010-02-22T00:16:00.002-05:00

On facebook, my most hated sight is LOL. Even worse is when someone writes, "lol! {something attempting to be witty} LOL." They type an LOL for their own lol. Geez, I get it; but stop. I prefer a good ha! Because ha is a sound you can actually make. Do you really need to tell everyone you laughed out loud, twice? Maybe you should just say, "holy toledo! that was so funny I spat out my milk!" Because that happens to me all the time.

my favorite things

2010-02-20T23:24:00.005-05:00

winter
Originally uploaded by charm stitch

Bowerbirds radio on Pandora
my ever-growing reading list
the "request title" library portal feature
ideas scribbled on shopping lists (destined to be forgotten, but planted nonetheless)
the looming doom of training for a race in june
mira's imaginary friend
two sleeping children
snuggling with people that I made, and the person I made them with
a new perfume of blackberry and vanilla
40 degree weather
chirping birds whom are not penguins
melting snow
cookie dough
inspiration found down under
brooklyn
new projects
and the possibility of completion

Valentine Take Down

2010-02-20T22:46:00.000-05:00

Garlands made from thread and paper... Valentine, oh valentine you gave us lots to do.

habu knit

2010-02-20T22:32:00.001-05:00

knit
Originally uploaded by charm stitch

Several months ago, before I had any interest in knitting, I came across an unusual stainless steel yarn and thought well, maybe. I kept coming across a particular pattern for a scarf and last week I began the ambitious project. Sixty inches of ambitiousness! The foundation utilizes two yarns before eventually dropping down to the black stainless. I've already made a mistake, purled where I should have knit; took in a stitch five times I shouldn't have. But now it's mine. My own pattern of mistakes. And if I can finish it, this may become my sister's happy birthday present. But that's at least 57 inches from here.

oh genevieve

2010-02-19T14:28:00.001-05:00

She looks up at me with these adorable eyes, smiles. She seems happier than the rest of us, just naturally. Just because. Almost four months old. The framework of her personality is coming up. Easy-going, doesn't like her view obstructed, ready to get out of the baby chair, full of aforementioned smiles, blue-eyed, snuggly, gassy, quick to laugh, loves to be held, amused by her sister, hearty eater, quick to spit up, late to rise... our little baby genevieve.

Charm Stitch contributors... call for inspiration

2010-02-17T15:13:00.005-05:00

Here is your sneak peek of the new site!

Of course, Charm Stitch will have its very own blog. I have big plans for featured artists, projects, tutorials and studio tours. I've been spending every free minute I have looking at blogs and sites for contributors. What are your favorites? Or perhaps you do something wonderful... contact me by email or comment and tell me about yourself.

Swatch Attack!

2010-01-31T16:20:00.000-05:00

Hello friends!

Sketchbook style ideas for you on our Flickr page! All fabric available in downright excessive quantities for immediate enjoyment. Purchase as a fat quarter grouping or yard by yard. Bespoke services available, contact info at CharmStitch.com.

Oliver + S Press

2010-01-26T17:46:00.008-05:00

Late last year, Charm Stitch (well, I) had the good fortune to be featured in a blog posting over at Oliver + S about the principles of fabric selection: tonal and two-color prints look very fresh. If you are nervous about working with patterns, I urge you to start with Oliver + S. The 2 +2 blouse pattern design is elegant in its simplicity. But as my mother always said about cooking - read the recipe three times before starting. I've made some silly mistakes on occasion (but not with this pattern), and getting cozy with one's seam ripper is a sure way to remember to read those instructions before you drop the needle.

This was one of the easier Oliver + S patterns that I have completed and I loved the stark quality of Valorie Wells' Del Hi print mixed with a lightweight Robert Kaufman Chambray. When I make it again, I will probably select a stiffer weight fabric for the placard detail, but I love the soft chambray for the tie.

The back of the shirt buttons, though I suppose you could adapt the pattern to a slip-on style with a little button & slit in the back for easy wearing. Mira is constantly changing her clothes at our house and getting her head stuck more often than not. This is one of her favorite shirts to pull off the hanger. I made the 3T so she's just about ready to fit in it this spring.

of cupid and chains

2010-01-22T15:49:00.002-05:00

Every now and then I remember a cupid mobile that my grandmother made for us in the 80's. I think the cupid had a little satchel filled with arrows, and my grandmother recalls that it was made with silk, felt and ribbons. I'm sure my sister & I lost it during one of the divorces. I've been google searching for over an hour and I can't find anything even close to what I remember.

I'm planning a little valentine play date party for Mira & some friends and would love to have something like it. I may have to relegate myself to doing some hearts this year and plan for the cupid next year. I think it would be neat if I incorporated some chains similar to this chandelier that I found on Urbs website. I've been considering it for over my new sewing area under the basement stairs (classy, right?).

No More Fiber Hostages (or, Etsy Shop is Up)

2010-01-08T16:03:00.005-05:00

Shop news... Charm Stitch is currently offering products for sale on Etsy. Most of the Japanese fabrics that I have are listed now (including Echino, Nani IRO, Heather Ross and Olympus). The lines you should expect from FreeSpirit fabrics are: Amy Bulter - Love, Heather Bailey - Nicey Jane, Dena Designs - Leanika as well as Kaffe Fassett - Shot Cottons. Repeat Studios Fat Quarters are also due to be listed shortly.

Also expect handmade aprons & burp cloths from Mira & Westie.

I'm also just getting into knitting, which is a bit of a surprise. Anyone reading have any yarn preferences, should I stock yarn too? I'll get into the things I've just learned shortly. I lost control of my luxurious silk and have a bit of a mess to contend with. I'm sure there's a lesson to be learned. Stay tuned.

Resolute 2010

2010-01-03T16:03:00.001-05:00

Run a 10k & a half-marathon (consequently losing the remaining baby weight).

Be on time, most of the time.

Manners!

Work harder at being a better conversationalist.

Be in the moment.

Make a new sewing to-do list.

Improve organization skills.

Stay focused.

Make my loved ones feel loved.

Learn French (and Japanese) so I can lose the doe eyes after "bonjour."

2010-2020

Safari in Africa

tie a string on your finger and don't forget!!

2009-12-05T15:15:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is the big day! Come to Woodberry for the Cirque d'hiver! Selling fat quarters, fabrics by the yard, buttons and trim... lots of other vendors with pretty things to stuff your stockings.

Check out Charm Stitch on Facebook or scroll down to the poster two posts below.

Handmade for the Holidays

2009-11-18T22:48:00.003-05:00

Shop Handmade for the Holidays! You're invited to attend the first seasonal Cirque event co-hosted by Charm Stitch & John Davis Photography.

Prints, pins, magnets and cards by Mattye Hamilton

Jewelry by Kristin Culverwell

Photography by John Davis Jr.

Prints and cards from Typecast Press as well as handmade napkins as featured in Baltimore Magazine.
Textiles, buttons and other notions from Charm Stitch and hand-stitched goods by Mira & Westie.

And many surprises including reliquary inspired Millinery from Ashley Lloyd and handmade baby booties by Linda Britt.

12/6 from 12-6
3500 Parkdale Avenue | 2nd Floor, Suite R | Baltimore 21211

Amusement

2009-11-13T13:05:00.000-05:00

From Kitty Wigs!

Oh and this one, which is just funny.

Gigi, darling

2009-11-06T19:31:00.003-05:00

October 25
Miss Genevieve Weston made her entrance.
Here she is, just 12 days old.

Baby. Tomorrow.

2009-10-21T23:50:00.003-04:00

We're meeting our brand new baby tomorrow afternoon! I couldn't be more excited. The only complicated stitch is that due to the flu craze Mira will not be allowed to visit. I feel so sad that she is going to have to wait a few days to meet little miss gigi.

UPDATE: Oh Darn! The baby has had a hospital mandated delay. Our services were cancelled. In the meantime, I'm trying everything possible to hurry her along.

Press! Press!

2009-10-21T23:32:00.004-04:00

If you've been reading, you may remember that I mentioned an upcoming publishing opportunity in Baltimore Magazine. Well, today my mail man delivered! In the form of the November 2009 issue, page 224.

Mary (at Typecast Press) designed the sweet apple prints and I embellished them with a twin-stitched border. They are featured twice. What you don't see are the tea towel napkins that I spent a whole day hand-embroidering little apple seeds on. Oh well! There's a tiny corner peeking through the middle of the page above, just to the left of the carafe of lemonade.

We're planning to get several done for the Winter Circus/Cirque D'Hiver trunk/craft show on December 6. Reserve some for your stocking stuffings!

I just love that Charm Stitch got a credit. What a fun opportunity!

Repeat Studio Fat Quarters are on their way!

2009-10-11T17:54:00.004-04:00

Repeat Studio of Canada will be the newest addition to the Charm Stitch shop. Hoping for a bit more of a website within the coming weeks to allow for easy purchasing. In the meantime, please get in touch if you would like to arrange a local pick-up or delivery of something you see on the site.

These fat quarters are special because:
The whimsical designs are completely unique, by way of color choices and pattern. Repeat Studio hand prints their fabrics with water-based, solvent-free inks. The fabrics are either organic or eco friendly and are washable. Everyone should have at least two!

tropic of coats

2009-10-11T17:47:00.001-04:00

Got an email from JCrew revealing these new jackets. Causing a bit of a stir on my browser. I love the yellow with buttons and buckles and can't stay away from a trench style, I wish I knew if some kind of amazing print lay hidden on the inside.

of pumpkin & apple seeds

2009-10-05T13:31:00.001-04:00

This weekend we took a little jaunt down to Virginia's Crooked Run Orchard for some apple picking & pumpkin snatching. The weather was beautiful & the apples quite tasty. We picked up some braeburn & jonah gold varieties for pie making with our favorite neighborhood girls later this week. It was quite the hike to find the non red or golden delicious varieties but we made it! A few hours later I started to wonder if I was going into early labor when my lower belly and legs started cramping. I'm starting to notice these more severe cramps on a daily basis. I didn't have any of this when I was pregnant with Mira, so it's a feeling quite new to me but is probably just the more intense Braxton Hicks.

I have a big decision to make later this week... the baby is scheduled for delivery on the 19th but unfortunately the doctor is out of town till then so I won't be consulting directly with her. If I reschedule with someone else, it might not be till after the 22nd - which means a SCORPIO could be in our midst. Having had the not-so-pleasant experience before, I don't think I can live with a stinging scorpio (unless girls are different from boys??). On the other hand, a fair Libra would offer lots of balance to the household. So you see, lots to think about!

Oh, Inventory!

2009-10-03T08:37:00.002-04:00

I have it on good authority that these goodies are heading my way this week. I'm so excited for their arrival, particularly for the white on white Nani Iro fabric, which I have been waiting for almost all summer long (9 weeks!).

From Nani Iro.

Heather Ross: Far Far Away Line in Blue/Green

Fancy French Ribbons

2009-09-28T00:03:00.004-04:00

And another thing... I finally found a resource for colorful twill tape and fancy french ribbons! I should have my first order in about two weeks. I've got some bias tape coming, espresso colored velvet ribbon, poly/cotton piping in a french blue and some Charm Stitch color-coordinated satin ribbon.

Next up: zippers and Gutermann thread.

Three Weeks...

2009-09-27T23:24:00.005-04:00

In just about three weeks baby G will be coming home. Yikes! Eric got the crib together yesterday. I spent the entire afternoon organizing and editing baby clothes. I haven't sewn anything for Charm Stitch/Mira & Westie all week. However, there is one exception. I was asked by Mary at Typecast to collaborate on a tea towel napkin project that may appear in an upcoming entertainment guide for Baltimore Magazine.
We started with linen, I sewed the napkins, Mary printed the darling apples overnight, and then I came back to hand embroider the seeds and little running stitches. It took hours and hours because we made 8 and two cocktail napkins. Thanks to Sublime Stitching, I learned some new embroidery techniques, beyond the lazy daisy & french knots I picked up in the Modern Trousseau class with Heather Ross over the summer. Hopefully I'll be posting a photo from the magazine in a couple of months! And if so, I can take orders and fulfill them at the Charm Stitch Trunk Show this December. Woo hoo.
Please excuse the photo! It was late, available lighting, and I was in a dreadful hurry.

Shelley Zips

2009-09-19T12:23:00.001-04:00

ELM_8388
Originally uploaded by charm stitch

About a month ago I created one of these for Shelley's birthday. Referencing some of the directions for the pencil case in Simple Sewing with a French Twist I have made and remade these so that I have come up with my own method that avoids hand-stitching. Not bad for someone formerly afraid of anything that needed a zipper foot on her sewing machine. I hope to keep refining these so that I can put them on my Mira & Westie etsy shop, just as soon as I get my new logo.

Anna Griffin & Tory Burch

2009-09-19T11:43:00.006-04:00

Inspired by the springiness of these floral print Tory Burch designs from Fall Fashion Week...

I stumbled across some Anna Griffin fabrics this morning and feel compelled to acquire them for Charm Stitch. Feeling inspired to do some new projects for our winter trunk show (details forthcoming).

The floral combo has the kind of confusing design, reminiscent of the 70's that makes me wonder if I love it or hate it. I think I love it.

Required Reading.

2009-09-17T00:17:00.002-04:00

These are the books on my required sewing reading & reference list.

From top to bottom:

Simple Sewing, Lotta Jansdotter

Seams to Me, Anna Maria Horner

Simple Sewing with a French Twist, Celine Dupuy

Last Minute Patchwork & Quilted Gifts, Joelle Hoverson

Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones

Weekend Sewing, Heather Ross

Quilts, Denyse Schmidt

Mira & Westie Photos!

2009-09-15T19:12:00.016-04:00

Just had the first photo shoot today with John Davis at Studio Mobtown, where we will be hosting the first ever Trunk Show from Charm Stitch/Mira & Westie on Sunday, December 6.

This is my one-sided apron. I have also designed a reversible apron which is twice as much fun and was originally blogged here (sadly, the yellow polka dots are now out of print).

I love this photogenic green chair & the studio has elements of an anthropologie spread with all the interesting architectural details, textures, nooks and crannies.

Of course, John's discriminating eye and my sister, Kristin's perfect figure don't hurt one bit.

So thanks, John and Keeks!

Kid Kimono Fever

2009-09-11T20:29:00.004-04:00

Dropped Miss Mira off to her Grandma Linda and now, 4 hours later and I have finished the Oliver + S Bedtime Story Pajama. To save time, I had prepped my pattern by tracing and cutting out my new Olympus polka dots. This fabric is every bit as lovely as I imagined to work with. It has the textured look of linen with the fineness of a handkerchief. I do recommend the Oliver + S patterns to anyone looking to learn new tricks or how to sew more professionally. They are expertly designed and edited. But MAN does it take a long time for me to read and process patterns as I sew. I'm sure it goes much easier the second time around but generally, after the long process of getting something finished I just can't imagine wanting to revisit it. But revisit I must or these may become the most expensive kid pajamas in history.

NeXt Up:

Tea Party Sundress in 0-3 months and 2T.

one kimono two...

2009-08-30T10:09:00.011-04:00

Since Friday night I have completed two kimono projects for baby G. I've got a massive to do list to complete in just 8 weeks, and a suspicion that G could arrive earlier than expected. I'm waiting on two Olympus fabric bolts, one of greenish yellow polka dots and the other peachy pink with white and black vines. So sweet. Should arrive this week from Japan!

Here is my to do list:

Baby G

Quilt (pieced... ready to baste, mark, quilt & bind)
Kimono's:
a) frog prince print/weekend sewing (done! and modified with a french seam) with bloomers
b) unicorns & snails/amy butler little stitches (done!)
c) olympus kimono's (oliver + S pattern) 1 done!
d) my own pattern
Coordinating Oliver + S Tea Party Dresses
a) sizes 0-3 & 2t
b) sizes 6-12 & 3T
Burp Cloths done!

Mira

Mira's Mermaid Quilt (quilt & bind) done!
Oliver + S 2 + 2 Jean skirt for Mira to match the shirt done, but too big.
Oliver + S Sunday Brunch A-line skirt (cordoury)
Oliver + S School Days Jacket (pattern out September 8!) in wool
Mira's Curtains with Nani Iro fabric and pompoms (expected end of September)

Along with my hope to get an etsy shop up and running in a week or two including the following inventory:

"Shelley" zipper pouches 3 down!
"Karen's Sunshine Cafe Aprons" 2 down, 3 prepped.
Kid totes 1 done, 1 prepped
Simple Quilts (1 down, 4 to go!)
75 Burp Cloths

Better get to work! I think I'm jumping in with the Oliver + S Tea Party dresses, rated only one scissor out of four these should be a cinch.

A Day at the Beach

2009-08-24T18:03:00.002-04:00

Finally finished!
Started this quilt in May and finished the binding at the beach last week. I used the Denyse Schmidt "A Day at the Beach" pattern for the front and improvised a hot pink stripe on the back.

Fully intending this to be used all summer long with our CSA goodies... it really hasn't been that kind of summer. Planning to surprise E with a picnic later this week.

canary in the closet

2009-08-22T17:41:00.006-04:00

Mira's new room is slowly coming together and my old friends orange & rouge will be making an encore appearance with their new friend, canary in the closet. Rather than paint the gigantic stripes as I did in her current closet I have decided to use these little x's as accents within the open spaces of her new space. I was able to draft these in photoshop and simply have to trace and cut them into my stencil paper and get these little guys painted in sporadic order. Eric assembled the Elfa closet parts this morning and hopefully next week the new sliding doors will arrive.

I found a retailer for the Gypsy Chandelier in Clear and we ordered that this morning. We may have chickened out on the multi-colored version because we don't have enough other bright primaries to support that kind of color party. I think it would be adorable, but there is no doubt that the clear version will bring some witty sophistication to the space.

My overall inspiration for the room is coming from the Lizzy Allen wallpaper mentioned in my post Orange & Rouge. I am addicted to this combination.

Henry Road Lampshades

2009-08-13T18:02:00.003-04:00

This is also a lovely idea. Henry Road has this image on their website and offers custom designed lampshades or pendants. I'm tempted! They are very anthropologie!

Lighting

2009-08-13T16:35:00.001-04:00

IMG_4214
Originally uploaded by llculverwell

Moving Mira to our guest room means we will need to replace the ugly white ceiling fan that's been hanging around. I've been looking high and low for chandelier options. While I love the multi-colored one from Urbs, it is now on backorder through September. Too late! I found a black version for $63, and that may do. I think I'd prefer white.. still searching.

If we go the handmade route, I think I'd like to do something like this... from the Varvatos store in Soho. Gotta find out where to get some globes like this though.

Gladiator Button Shoes

2009-08-12T09:51:00.004-04:00

Coach had the nerve to send me an email about these gladiator heels this morning. 3.5 inches of heel. Too much, I'm afraid for me these days. I just don't have the energy... but if I did, I can assure you these would be at the top of my "want it" list.

New Stitches

2009-08-06T23:33:00.006-04:00

I've learned two new tricks since last week:

The French Seam (sewing with a french twist has a nice four step explanation; burda has one too but the photos made it seem a little confusing... I recommend referencing both - the burda takes it to a felled seam - which is sweet!)

and get this... Hand Quilting. Somehow I convinced my sister, Kristin to take an evening hand quilting class with me at the only quilting shop we have near Baltimore. I have affectionately dubbed it the Old Lady Store. It's mostly traditional and the staff is very friendly. They carry 12 or so Amy Butler prints and approximately four Heather Ross prints; these are the same bolts they've had since I first visited the shop last December. This store is all about excitement!

So the quilting is a challenge with super tiny needle. My index finger hurts and I realized that I need a better thimble. Our instructor modeled a Clover made brass open backed model that looked lovely. Kristin seemed to do just fine! She's preparing to sew her first quilt for her best friend's new baby. Knowing how to do the hand-stitching will certainly come in handy for cute little details. I've been intrigued with the hand-quilting process since coming across the "Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts" Book. The process is so time-consuming though, it's hard to imagine hand quilting an entire project.

A is for Apple... B is for Blog... C is for...

2009-08-06T23:24:00.005-04:00

Apple's new bookmark Top Sites feature makes it easy to catch up on my favorite blogs. I had really gotten behind with my time wasting "research." I have so many bookmarks poorly organized and stashed in folders called "sewing," "misc" and "untitled" that it is impossible to keep up with prolific posters. Now I can store my favorites within a quick, visual framework that even *stars* new postings. It's just too easy!

"My want it, my need it."

2009-08-06T12:13:00.004-04:00

The quote can be attributed to my youngest sister Chelsea during her toddler years. But here are my want it/need its:

Subscription to Selvedge (it's not cheap!)

Alabama Chanin: Alabama Stitch Book

Gocco Printer

Lens Baby

overlock foot with cutter for the babylock

The Tale of the Yellow Polka Dots & the Very Playful Hippopotamus

2009-07-30T18:31:00.007-04:00

For the last year or so I have really wanted to try silk screening. An easier method (aside from resist painting a silk screen) appeared to be lithography. I have been referencing Lotta Jansdotter's book on printmaking, which is truly a lot of fun and the hippo above was my first actual attempt. I had been hoping to do it on fabric for the bag mentioned a couple posts down. But the hippo did not take very well on the textured ikea fabric... nor did I ever find the white I had hoped to strike the wine colored lining with. It actually looked best on this paper.

And today, further inspired by my lemon polka dots and a 1 yard piece of wool strap that I bought a couple of days ago, I found myself thinking about a little skirt for Mira. One thing led to another and I thought about making a tiny tote bag for Mira to carry her library DVD's and small artifacts from her dossiers. I did indeed manage the tote bag but have not had the opportunity to photograph it. I went for a patchwork strip look on a side pocket (the grey area interrupted with polka dots). It's cute, but I fear not quite as cute as my drawing turned out above.

Orange & Rouge.

2009-07-29T08:59:00.003-04:00

I can only show you a tiny bit of this image of wallpaper taken from this website. Isn't it adorable? I feel like the charm stitch website should have some elements of this. I love the colors. Thanks to makesomething.ca for sharing the link.

Bright Lights

2009-07-28T09:39:00.007-04:00

I might be insane for liking this $78 chandelier from Urban Outfitters. I've been very inspired by color lately. It's quite difficult for me to use it though. My usual color palate is so restrained! I often pick variations on the same shade of white to paint our hallways and bedrooms. It really is quite the illness.

So when I see something like this I can't help but think of what fun it is! One thought I had about the baby (or Mira's new room) decor was inspired by a Tory Burch price tag. The mix of bright blue, orange, green and hot pink has been making my heart ache (Scan to Come)! I think a nice silk quilt with bright stitching and binding might do the trick. Check out Tory's boutiques for some visual inspiration (I like the East Hampton one today but the traditional green & orange Vegas/NYC style also rocks it just fine).

I'm not quite sure how to make it work; especially since we already have the cowgirl duvet for Mira. One thing is for sure, I'll be consulting my Domino book for inspiration. So sad that magazine is gone!

Fuukei Pianika Bag and a Spotted Hippopotamus

2009-07-27T22:39:00.006-04:00

Latest Translation... The Fuukei Pianika Bag from NaniIRO's 2009 pattern line featured on their website.

My plans for the bag include hand printing on a white canvas-like fabric procured from IKEA a year ago. I may go for an organic look with shapes similar to the above photo (from Kokka's site). I have a wine colored liner fabric already cut and plan to print a white hippo inside.

Mira went crazy for hippos over the weekend. We made an impromptu appearance at the National Zoo and saw their gorgeous hippo playing outside in the pool with a bright red ball. She couldn't have loved it more. She said, "excuse me" to get closer and even announced - "I have to move one more woman to get closer." The woman overheard and graciously stepped out of the way so Mira could observe this enormous hippopotamus in all her submerged glory.

Being with a two year old is one of the most enlightening and amusing things I've ever experienced. I am grateful for the time I have to appreciate her.

Karen's Sunshine Cafe Apron

2009-07-24T15:25:00.003-04:00

ELM_7678
Originally uploaded by llculverwell

I've had these fabrics for about a month. I had planned to make a ruched sundress with the polka dots and napkins with the stripes and prints. The elastic thread escapade prevented me from continuing the polka dot massacre.

About a week ago, I began toying with the idea of combining the yellow swirlies with the stripes as a cafe apron. I was lucky enough to have some super-wide tangerine cotton twill tape from a recent voyage to Spool Sewing in Philly. It was perfectly suited for this combination.

Once the orange was in place, I couldn't stop thinking about my friend Karen. I think she loves orange as much as I do and she might be the only other person I know that will appreciate this strange combination of Amy Butler fabrics.

It was pretty easy, though time consuming when you toss in folding laundry and winging it. I had scribbled some instructions so I could test my tutorial drafting skills. I plan to post my first one over at CharmStitch.com pretty soon. Let me know if you're interested!

Oliver + S Lazy Days Skirt & Tank Embellishment

2009-07-24T14:58:00.011-04:00

In preparation for Olivia's second birthday party tomorrow, I decided to make her a skirt from Oliver + S. This is a free pattern found on their website. It's so easy, takes under an hour... especially the second time around. My favorite part is the genius concealed hem under the ribbon detail.

I had the blush colored fabric leftover from Mira's Stacked Coins quilt front (still working on it). I adore it with the black and white ribbon. And think Mira may be getting a duplicate very soon.

Upon completion I thought this would be an even better gift if paired with a "matching" t-shirt. After three stops I finally found this white tank at Old Navy. It took exactly four minutes to add the ribbon detail to the tank sleeves.

Musings on NaniIRO free patterns

2009-07-22T09:55:00.012-04:00

I whipped up these two bags from the free patterns I found on NaniIRO's site. Now of course, since I can't read Japanese I assume they are free. Each bag took less than an hour. The most complicated part may be remembering to work with cm. The first time I started studying one of these I didn't notice the "cm" and began visualizing in inches... thinking, "my that's a large bag, I'm not sure I even have fabric that wide." Upon further consideration I realized my American mistake. Here are the two that I chose: left & right. The bag on the left had a minor measurement error at the base, I'll be explaining in a quick tutorial at a future date.

I'm thinking about making my first Charm Stitch workshop a course in understanding & translating the patterns. While I'm certainly no expert, and there are several ways to complete a project, I think these patterns are adorable & I'd love to offer help to anyone else that doesn't want to take the time to figure out the diagrams.

My next effort is a sweet kids shirt with elastic sleeve gathering. From the diagram on the Kokka site it appears as though a bias trim is magically connected on one side of the fabric to cover all of the seams. I'm just not sure about it though, it could be the body fabric folded over, but the bias trim would make a lovely finished edge protecting delicate skin from chafing. I'm going to be doing this one with Heather Ross' Frog Prince double gauze. The fabric has already been marked with water soluble marker and cut... Just waiting for a brainstorm to fill in the gap.

Pieces by Post

2009-07-14T13:09:00.009-04:00

June 29 marked the arrival of my first catalog. NaniIRO, oh it's fabulous. The best part about the marketing materials are the images showing projects made with the remarkable fabrics. At first I was thinking, yeah, that's cute but I like these two... and that's it. Then I saw the way the abstract lines and patterns could be laid out to showcase the simplicity and now I want to have just about everything.

See me at Charm Stitch!

2009-06-28T20:03:00.010-04:00

The big announcement...

I'm sneaking this post in (it's backdated!) to announce that I have a new website called CHARM STITCH. The site is not the final version, just a mere holding page to help me feel official as I place wholesale orders and plan all the things that come next.

Momentarily deterred by the economy (and baby two coming this October), I have long term plans to open a modern sewing boutique in Baltimore and short term plans to start with trunk shows (first sometime in September) and a website where I will sell many of my favorite fabrics and notions. Immediately, I hope to offer intimate sewing workshops which will be held at a borrowed studio in the Woodberry/Hampden area. Taking it slowly to gauge interest and see if anyone else local is as addicted to fabric as me.

Currently, I'm developing free tutorials for fabric bucket bags and the reversible cafe apron blogged above. I hope to post these the first week of August.

2009-06-27T20:56:00.004-04:00

Hello! Big changes ahead!

I am planning to start a new blog but can't decide between typepad and wordpress. Typepad is $8.95/month with a 14 day free trial that requires a credit card to begin. Wordpress is free, but when I read pros & cons on this site I got scared away. It seems like it has some server issues.

My new favorite blog: www.makesomething.ca is done on Wordpress. And I like it well enough, but all the techno talk seems to indicate that Wordpress lacks the flexibility of Typepad. Not that I know what I'm doing. I don't. But it seems like I should, and maybe I will... one day.

But I will be announcing my next business venture soon. I have a domain and a little homepage image ready to sit with you. Just getting my hosting worked out. Really needing to get this web design worked out but not feeling informed enough to pull the trigger.

The B

2009-06-22T00:33:00.002-04:00

ELM_7255
Originally uploaded by llculverwell

Here is the first of the napkin monograms.

Modern Trousseau

2009-06-21T00:49:00.004-04:00

IMG_4235
Originally uploaded by llculverwell

On Tuesday I was able to take the Modern Trousseau class at Purl Patchwork with Heather Ross. Woohoo, right?! It was a fun two hour introduction to the lazy daisy chain stitch and some french knots. I came with no embroidery experience and left with a partially finished "L" monogram. Today I was able to do a dainty little napkin with our "B." Eric declared it too flowery for his taste but I have already determined that I will complete a set for us. I'm thinking of using a different font for each napkin.

I've really started to love having more than one kind of project to work on. I have quilts, burp cloths, dresses and now, monogramed napkins & kitchen towels to work on. Raise your hand if you want one for Christmas. I'm addicted!

Weekend Away Bag: Take 1

2009-06-12T14:24:00.006-04:00

I worked on this project a few evenings this week. It wasn't too complicated, I had the errata sheet and was able to use some of the first fabric I ordered in 2009. I had long intended to use the yellow garden roses for an apron, but changed my mind at the last minute because it goes so nicely with the pink Cathedral print - which I thought would make a fun binding. Even with the errata sheet, I still feel there is an error with the fabric required to cut the handles & binding "on the bias." I wound up only having a fraction of 1/2 yard of the pink cathedral so I just went for it without going bias. It seems to be fine.

I'm thinking that the next verision should have a little tie, or use some hooks on the inside for key straps... something snazzy like that.

A Call for Sergers

2009-06-11T11:48:00.002-04:00

Serger? Are you out there?

Looking for one... just putting that out there. Used or new I just need to have one come my way. Suggestions of where to look? Preferred brands and such?

My Meetings

2009-06-10T22:38:00.008-04:00

I am officially almost official. I am starting my own business. Just waiting for state approval of my "articles of organization" and then I get the FEIN number... the tax traders license... and then I shall be buying wholesale and making the most out of my time and self. All this before baby number two in October. I have serious work to do! And I think by November I'll realize how crazy I was this month.

Monday brought Brian over to talk about websites. I can't wait for this part to develop and even spent an hour that afternoon mocking up my sketchbook so he would know exactly what I meant. I actually like what I designed and am starting to see my ideas come together from my weathered, dirty, Mira-mangled sketchbook.

On Tuesday I met with Mary at Typecast Press (just look at this place, is it not amazing?!) and regret only thinking to take photos on my way out (just the one above). The studio was incredible! So colorful, so clean and so inspiring. I am more than excited about logos and letterpress right now that I find it hard not to think of new projects needing paper design.

I think it will be Friday before I hear any word on estimates and follow-up meetings. But I just want the universe to know that I am ready to get started right now.

Following some inspiration mentioned in Stitch magazine I found this blog from the owner of The Workroom in Toronto. I declare that this is my most favorite blog, and I will follow it wherever it goes.

Speaking of {blogs}(and in the meantime) I'm going to have to get a more professional blog together. Any comments on Wordpress or Typepad?

Must I Talk About It?

2009-06-08T10:29:00.001-04:00

ELM_7199_cc
Originally uploaded by llculverwell

20 weeks and counting

2009-06-07T20:39:00.005-04:00

I don't recall saying so, but should note that all of my recent domestic endeavors may have been enhanced due to pregnant brain and all of the idiosyncrasies that come with it. If only that meant I had higher standards for cleanliness! Oh no, not me. Finally, this morning I cleaned up several of my work areas and organized the mess of bags that I have long intended to take to a consignment shop. I may fear the rejection of my unwanted items. I recall one block long trip down to Normals' Bookstore in Charles Village (1999? 2000?) carrying so many books only to find that they did not meet their standards. Who would have thought! Most of my books came from Normals back then and these books seemed good enough for me to read.

...So all I have to do is decide on a consignment shop and verify the hours. We loaded up the clutter and it is waiting patiently in the trunk to learn of its next destination. Any ideas? Vogue Revisited? I went to Fashion Attic (or was it Fashion Attack?) right before I left 1904 Fleet (they took everything and a few months later I received a check for $84).

In the meantime... I am brainstorming about what project is best to start next.

Weekend Away Travel Bags

2009-06-04T23:23:00.008-04:00

These are the bags I made.. I really like the fabric and zipper colors. The pattern was from the weekend sewing book (of course!) and by the time I got to the second one I had decided the inside pockets needed restructuring and that the bag was too big not to have a handle somewhere. I was mildly certain that the first bag (on the left) needed more structure, but after I added the interfacing to the second bag I started liking the floppy nature of piggy brown.

Grrr... errata!

2009-06-04T17:58:00.008-04:00

And while it may seem like a delightful treat to buy a book about sewing and to have it contain tens of patterns of fun projects to attack, what is not fun is when said book is a first edition. Grrr, the dreaded first edition.

I've been doing pretty well with the heather ross weekend sewing book. I've made the baby kimono, smocked sundress and two weekend away travel bags. Today I finally laid out my Underwater Sisters fabric to make the cuts for pajama pants for everyone (me!). And while it is convenient to have 15 or so patterns printed on the front and back of two enormous sheets of paper folded within your beloved new book, you can imagine it gets a little confusing. Thankfully, the design team had the brains to color code each pattern. Hooray, right? So I lay it out and unfortunately the paper does not accomodate the full length of each pant leg, so you have to do it piecemeal - I assign this flaw to the reason why I did not notice that my fabric (though cut to recommended size) was not long enough. So now I have cut pieces of pajama highwaters. I'll probably have to make them into shorts. I think the back pair of legs are just too short to add trim to the bottom.

So the joys of sewing continue...

Sewing Rule Number One

2009-06-04T00:31:00.008-04:00

If you think something looks wrong, it is wrong.

I could tell you about the second time I wound a bobbin on my brand new machine only to find that the thread was coiling under the bobbin and not on the dang thing and it took me an hour to untangle the mess... or I could tell you about the time the bobbin got jacked up with elastic thread and the sewing needle thread causing it to pull and self-eject at an angle, eventually causing me to snap the needle... but no, I'm going to tell you about tonight, the time the bobbin looked like it was loading up thread properly but it really wasn't. Then I had to pull and cut and tug all of that fabulous thread away (running precariously low on my beloved Gutermann off white color!). Once properly loaded and sewing happily I notice a little spare loop in my top sewing line. "Oh, its nothing" I say. Yeah, right. I keep sewing. sewing on down the 80-something inch line. Go back up the other side... something tells me to look at the other side... come on, just a peek. I look and it's not good what the bobbin and threader have been doing. Oh it is not good at all.

Farmhouse Style Quilt

2009-05-21T16:56:00.007-04:00

Since I'm clearly obsessed with sewing this week I am posting a quilt and baby kimono that I've been working on the last month or so for my first nephew, Huey Sidey. The kimono is called Lucy's Kimono and was the first project I completed from Weekend Sewing. It actually was simple! The quilt was inspired from the pattern in Denyse Schmidt's book and the original was called "Hop, Skip, Jump." Though the color palate is a little foreign to me, I've started to think of it as a schoolhouse/farmhouse kind of quilt and am kind of okay with it.

Heather Ross Smocked Sundress Woes

2009-05-21T15:02:00.008-04:00

I have a knack for turning easy into difficult and making difficult look easy.

I completed my second project in Heather Ross's book, Weekend Sewing. I was going to do it on Monday but then I read on her blog that she was going to be on Martha this past Tuesday. So I decided to wait to see her in action. It looked so easy! It read so easy! It was not that easy. Though it might have been, had I not bought my precious Babylock sewing machine to replace the workhorse Brother of years past. This Babylock has an issue with bobbins. Bobbins are always jamming! The dress has six lovely rows of smocking at the top. To make the smocked stitching one is supposed to load the upper thread normally and hand wind the bobbin with elastic thread. Sounds easy enough. It wasn't. I sewed up all six of my rows and headed over to the iron and spray bottle for the next step. Spray, watch elastic shrink, and iron... instant smocking effect. On Martha, Heather's dress started a semi-smock right there in the sewing machine. Not mine. Not even a little.

Eventually I realized it was all wrong and beyond repair. I cut the top seven inches off and started fresh on scrap fabric (something I should have been doing anyway, lesson learned). I used new elastic thread, I rewound all the bobbins, I adjusted the tension, adjusted the stitch length. I did everything I could think of. Nothing changed. Finally, I got my abandoned Brother out of the garage, popped in a bobbin and sewed it perfectly. How can this be?! A $1k brand new electronic machine more fickle than something 8 years old without many more bells than a zipper foot?

I've made some other adjustments to the dress, I used an Amy Butler print to make bias straps and thought about doing a trim on the bottom (more jamming from Mr. Babylock so I eventually pulled it off). I did cut an extra couple of inches from the bottom after it looked to long in the photos I took of Mira in it. I'm thinking about adding a pocket. But am trying to finish up a quilt in time for dinner tonight. I'll keep you posted. Photos to come.

The Open House Blues & Bright Ideas

2009-05-20T20:12:00.006-04:00

The open house dashed my hopes of having a house with a pool before summer. Oh well! It was Lake Avenue and not my preferred street, the driveway proved to be unmanageable and the price still out of reach. A house like that begs for parties, parties beg for parking, homes on Lake have no parking.

So I moved on to newer better ideas. I'm wondering if the Baltimore market has a place for a fabric store like Purl Soho or Spool in Philly? Anyone reading care to weigh in? I know that every time I begin a project I spend lots of money shipping things from my favorite shops around the country, I know that none of the shops around here (Catonsville, Annapolis and Rockville) carry the breadth of the lines that I prefer. So it is something for me to think about. I've been getting excited about it all day and will probably be going wild for it by next Tuesday.

Oh, above is the hippo jacket that I made for Mira around Easter. I spent all day working on it, when I presented it to her she promptly declared, "I don't wanna like it." It took some convincing for her to try it on.

Good News and Bad News: Butterflies and Salted Caramel

2009-05-17T21:05:00.003-04:00

Here's the first bit of good news... I have a new favorite ice cream. We were out visiting my siblings-in-law at the hospital following the delivery of their son and decided to stop at the Mt. Washington Whole Foods on the way home. We took Lake from GBMC (bear with me, this is going somewhere...), passed a house that I remember seeing an open house for and a couple other places that made my mouth start watering for real estate again. This, after a day of disappointing HoCo open houses was quite the promising lead for us. As we approach the grocery I see Sylvan Beach and am reminded of the ice cream I used to get from the Mt. Vernon location years ago... we agree to skip dinner and have ice cream after I pick up all the miscellaneous items I would have needed for dinner. As we approach the door we both agree that a return to city life could be just what we need. Mega stores are great and all but I love the small town vibe of this part of the city.

I ordered the Salted Caramel with peanuts on top and it was the best ice cream I have ever had. I do like the Ben & Jerrys Coffee Heath Bar Crunch (which I call Coffee Toffee Crunch), but it is so rich... the salted caramel is better than the best I've ever had.

Next good news... we finally found an almost city neighborhood that we both love, Lake Roland. We were driving down Hollins Ave (off Lake) following the real estate signs and stumbled up one that I was so thrilled with I swore we could move in that very night... Little did I know it was 1.5 million dollars. Sadly we cannot afford those payments just yet and that would be the bad news.

But the other good news is that there is a house on Lake Avenue in Roland Park that I may like even better. Have to wait till the Brokers open on Wednesday to find out though. Inactive licensee status is a bummer once you get the real estate butterflies.

Spillage... Deceptively Delicious Style

2009-04-06T15:53:00.005-04:00

After prepping my shopping lists and spending $137 at the grocery yesterday I tackled a big block of recipes from Jessica Seinfeld's "Deceptively Delicious" cookbook. If you're not familiar with it, I can summarize briefly by saying that it uses steamed vegetable and mashed fruit purees to spruce up kid-friendly food in the kitchen. I think it's supposed to be "easy."

I decided to make the following recipes:

Peanut Butter & Banana Muffins

Blueberry Lemon Muffins

Blueberry Oatmeal Bars

Marshmallow Crispy Treats

Meatball Soup

Italian Meatloaf (with Mashed Potatoes and Cauliflower)

Chicken Salad

and Ranch Dressing for veggie dipping

Which utilize these purees:

Banana Mash

Carrot, Cauliflower, Sweet Potato, Yellow Squash and Spinach

And so it was this morning that I began steaming and pureeing spinach to hide in the Blueberry Oatmeal Bars. As I multi-tasked around the piling dishes and counter top full of ingredients and cookbook pages I finished the spinach and rested the top of the Cuisinart against its bottom and a large bowl... assisting Mira with her Marshmallow Crispy Treat while looking for my spatula I heard the familiar sound of plastic hitting the floor mixed with a new sound, that of spinach covering the dishwasher, walls, floor and rug. Oh what fun! In the meantime, the sweet potatoes are halved and baking, the ranch dressing is being blended from scratch and I am trying to figure out what to peel, steam, puree and pre-measure next.

Around 12:30 Mira is ready for a snack. I decide it is a good time to try the ranch dressing with cauliflower, red pepper and pita chips. While I get my water Mira dumps all of the cauliflower in to the dip. Okay fine, I'll eat it. I step away for a minute to get the carrots off the steamer. I recognize the sound of dishes hitting the floor and as I peek my head over the bar I really can't tell who is to blame, the dog or the toddler. The entire lunch plate has been catapulted off of the table with the dip and the place mat. Neither one claims responsibility. I kinda lose my composure but I go for the cleaning materials and come back to find the dog attempting to lick everything but the vegetables up while Mira rolls around in it. I've barely finished cleaning up this rogue disaster when she goes for one of those little yogurt bullet drinks and basically pours it down her entire front. As she helps me wipe this spill up she begins walking through the majority of it. And so it was nap time.

My complaint with the cookbook is the unrealistic cooking times. I think books like these should include a factor table next to the cooking time estimate:

For example, mine would be with toddler multiply prep time by 2.5.

Prelude to Preschool

2009-03-31T11:32:00.004-04:00

I find it completely impossible to exercise. I have been on a mission to prepare for two upcoming (beginner) races, a 5k and a 6k in April. And I've been consistently putting in 3 miles at a time for a couple of months. But what you don't know is that like vacuuming, getting on the treadmill can take well over an hour if Mira is anywhere near me. For example, just now I put on Dalmatians (puppies) for her to watch - she wants me to sit with her, every time I inch toward the treadmill behind her she says, "Mommy sit." Then she wants some juice, a snack which gets chewed up and spat out, same for the second snack. We come downstairs to try again, she helps me pull out the laundry from the machine, asks for Nemo. I put in Nemo for five minutes, get on the treadmill for 0:22 seconds. Then she wants Cars. I manage to stay on for 13 minutes or so and spend the next three asking her not to get on with me. Eventually I pick her up and get in a total of 17 minutes of mild exercise within the 90 minutes I've been down here.

It is becoming very apparent to me that it is much easier to stay-at-home mother a baby than it is a toddler. I can't wait for preschool.

Hibernation

2009-03-25T15:19:00.003-04:00

I suppose I should be happy for 50 degree days after such a cold and windy winter. I'm not. I've had a really hard time with the weather this year and Maryland is pretty mild as far as cold climates go. I'm planning to become a snowbird, just as soon as I can. It's simply no fun to get bundled up all of the time and never feeling warm enough in the house. It makes me so lazy! And lazy I have been.

Since January I have started several sewing projects. I have a quilt going for my cousin's new baby coming in June, finished some small coasters and napkin/placemat sets to get used to the new sewing machine (mine was only sewing backwards), made a small stuffed kitty for Mira, and have begun a little "brunch jacket" for Mira with a little hippo print. All so much fun if only I had hours to sit at the machine. Makes you wonder how Anna Maria Horner does all that sewing with 4 or 5 kids in the roost.

Inaugural To Do's and Up Do

2009-01-22T12:20:00.008-05:00

On Monday we had the good fortune to receive a last minute invite to one of the inaugural balls! Fortunately we were able to get a babysitter and had enough time to run out for shoes and outfits. Certainly nothing in the archives would be good enough for this type of event!

So off we went to the Tyson's Galleria. While E spotted Usher circling the dress shop, I tried on about 14 dresses before settling on a little black tank dress. Mira had a breakdown, E bought a very swanky tux that Hugo Boss was able to hem inside of 30 minutes.

Next day: The Today Show offers advice about the inaugural balls. Wear flats (oops! I just bought 4 inch heels), prepare to lose your coat to the coat check, food is no good, and the VP and Pres will come in, say a few words do a little dance and then get the heck out of there because they have 10+ balls to get to!

I make an appointment for an updo. Eric gets his eyebrows waxed. We look for the sally hansen spray legs stuff (which I think is like spray on pantyhose but am not really sure but I have determined that I have to have it since my shoes are open toe and I can't wear anything on my legs!). I tell Eric that I think it will make me feel warmer, but actually don't think it will be any more effective than lip gloss is at keeping your face warm. Worth a shot regardless!

Now our event was not the swanky Neighborhood Ball (which had Beyonce and a very hairy Sting). The most activity ours seemed to have was when the military band began rearranging their seats. People swarmed to the stage, all of us standing like biped lemmings waiting for the guests of honor! Two musical numbers later the flag carriers come in and out pop the Biden's. The ladies behind me are saying how lovely the missus looks (and she does!). Quick little speech and a dance as embarrassing as my wedding dance ensues. When the media jokes about it being 50 seconds they aren't lying. Biden is as good at dancing as I am!

A few minutes later I kick off my shoes. We all do. We know there will be some time before the Obamas come in. And longer still before Maroon 5. I think it was almost 11! Finally the sky opens up and Obama appears with his lovely sparkly wifey and he gives us a little pep talk, shoots us all a knowing look, dances to At Last and off they go! Many go home. The rest of us cozy up to the stage and we stand about two deep to see Maroon 5. And I have to say, that singer is so freaking cute - and in the same way as my Husband. Which makes me realize how lucky I am to get to go home with such a stunning man!

Even though it took me a long time to come around to Obama (because of my sworn loyalty to the Clinton brood), I have been swept up in this sea of Patriotism he has rolled out for us all to wade through. I just love the subtle ways he has changed the tone of America. I swear I'm not the only one who has a tear come to her eye when thinking about the way our country is shifting, about the grace that is coming back to the white house. Finally, someone to be proud of.

resolute 2009

2009-01-02T11:15:00.006-05:00

1. take more jewelry classes

2. have another bebe

3. exercise more regularly

4. cook at home frequently

5. read consistently

6. refine vocabulary

7. be nice
8. Run a 5k (at 6mph)

ideals beyond 2009

africa

english countryside

metal apprenticeship

london and paris with mira

this is the room where I burn and beat things

2008-11-20T23:35:00.006-05:00

So here is where I am every Tuesday... My favorite room is the hammer and mandrel room you see on the left. I love that you have to close the doors to work in here and then you can sit on a tree stump while you beat things on a wrist shaped mandrel.

I'm having some issues with my fourth project. It's going through a very bad ugly phase. I'm not happy with it and am worried that it's going to be very yucky looking. So far all of my projects have had a period where they didn't look like much, but I could see something through the metal dust. With this ring, I see nothing but trouble. It's friggin' huge. The inside is my middle finger size six, the outside part of the hollow form is a whopping size ELEVEN. Who wears a size eleven? Not a five foot four person... unless they have edema. And I'm sorry if you do.

So I've been thinking that the only way to save it is too just make it bigger. Just make it completely outrageous. So after taking my vitamins tonight I either had my latest stroke of crazy or genius: make it a birthday cake ring with layers on top. How can I help myself. Our instructor did say we would never wash our hands with this ring on, it's going to be big. Mine might weigh two pounds at this rate. Urgh. I like pretty things. Not clunky chunks of metal.