snow

Just lookie at what was falling from the sky most of today...


Nothing accumulating, just pretty flakes. Snow makes me happy! Must be the native St. Louis-ian in me. ;)

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Lots of turkey & other yummies. AND we put up our tree, a Thanksgiving tradition at our house. The kids & I have always put the tree up Thanksgiving night, while watching Home Alone. We absolutely love that movie! It never gets old!

A couple of my favorite spots on the tree...

blown glass Santas & clothespin skater

tiny needlepoint stocking

I started a new project too. Taking a tiny break from Christmas gifts to clear my mind & renew the creative juices! Sometimes I get "stale" if I do one project or focus for several days. I know, I'm a weirdo. Sue me! :P

What I really need in my closet are some basic, woven shirts. Perfect under jackets or on their own, with skirts or trousers or jeans...You can't go wrong with a white shirt. Or a white shirt that's not white but a fun cotton print. (And we all know I have a ton of those!)

I've been steering clear of wovens lately for myself because I'm lazy. There. I admitted it. I don't want to fool with fitting. Then while I was clearing off the sewing table & putting patterns in order yesterday I ran across this Threads Simplicity shirt:

This baby has built in B-C-D cups, 2 collar & hem variations and 3 sleeve variations. Plus 2 different fronts...a contrast bib and a plain. AND there are darts in the back, which add another fitting dimension to play with. So no more excuses!

My pattern is cut out (yes, StickGirl, that does count as working on it. :P) and I've got (hopefully) wearable muslin fabric ready to pin. My muslin fabric is a really pretty teal green/blue paisley print that I've had since Lu was 2 or 3. It was supposed to be a smocked dress. Whoops.

Anywho, if I have success with the muslin, I envision lots of adaptations in my future. Like this ruffly striped version from J.Crew:


How incredible is the cuff on this shirt?!

And I even have that perfect dark red/navy striped shirting from a recent fabric buying trip:


And of course I need to make use of those pretty woven cottons I've got stashed everywhere. I can see a mandarin collar, short puff sleeve version in this:


And maybe a polka dot version...yellow & white? Or green & white? Or black & cream? You know, really once you do the legwork on a pattern like this, its worth all the hassle & tears and wasted muslins. Sometimes I forget that & go straight for the BWOF knit tops.

So, first muslin. Next, more little gifts. I've got another little tute/freebie I hope to get worked up for you in the next few days so stay tuned! This one's for the geek in your life.

Parting snow shot...

DUST OF SNOW

The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued
--Robert Frost

song for the day