There are a few more shots on my flicker!
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Sprung!
This was an absolutely beautiful day. I snapped some pics of the assorted blooms around my yard...hyacinths, cherry tree, peach tree, redbud, and more. I hope you had as lovely a Sunday as we did! (No sewing tho. Too pretty to be stuck inside on a day like today!)
There are a few more shots on my flicker!
There are a few more shots on my flicker!
Saturday, April 05, 2008
No Soda April
Colleen over at Not Quite Vintage has pledged to give up soda (pop for us southern plains girls) for the month of April...in an attempt to kick the soda habit. Sounds good to me, and this was one of my goals for spring/summer anyway! I've already stocked up the Crystal Light water bottle packet thingies here at home and in my desk at work.
You don't have to completely give it up...Colleen has made no rules for us rule-breakers who will not be denied. You can choose to do a Cut Down Soda April if ya want to, Soda with Pizza April, or any variation thereof.
I don't think its plausible I will NEVER drink a root beer, so I'm going to try to go No Soda Except With Popcorn April.
Wanna join?
Friday, April 04, 2008
12 TNT's
Here's my response to Lisa (from Sew Random), who asked this earlier in the week...What 12 TNT patterns would you take with you if you had to move into a small space w/no access to retail or internet pattern sources for one year?
No. 1...Simplicity 5074
I've dressed these simple drawstring pants up, down and everywhere in between. I even used them for the One Pattern Many Ways contest last year on PR. Definitely a keeper.
No. 2...Simplicity 4068
Basic flat front, fly front trousers. You gotta have trousers. Right? I can even make these in denim.
No. 3...Loes Hinse Design Tango Skirt
Super simple, you almost don't need a pattern. But it's nice that someone else figured out the lengths and angles of the panels for me. Perfect execution every time, with a sassy little swish around your legs.
No. 4...Loes Hinse Swing Skirt
Exactly what it claims to be...a flippy little skirt with lots of potential for variations.
No. 5...Loes Hinse Sweater Set
I've made this too many times to count, and it always amazes me how quickly it goes together and yet still looks like I picked it up at a boutique. Loes' magic. I love it in sweater weights and lighter knits too.
No. 6...Textile Studios Santa Monica Tee
I almost left this one off, but I do reach for it at least twice a year. Simple to construct, with an elegant neckline that never screams "homemade".
No. 7...Textile Studios Milan Dress
My all time favorite sundress pattern. The one people stop me to ask "this is gorgeous, where'd you get it?" Often.
No. .8..Textile Studios Capri Jacket
This is one of those patterns that I have to store in a big ziplock baggie and use extra care because the envelope and pieces are all raggedy from use. I've made it long, short, velvet, linen, and everything in between.
No. 9...New Look 6414
Lounge wear at its absolute best! I perfected the fit on the tops in this package a long time ago, so when I need a quick summer top I can whip one out in no time, but with style! The wrap jacket is a perfect complement to a cami or tank too, and goes together super easy because of the raglan sleeves.
No. 10...Ottobre 2/07 Puff Sleeve Tee
I can't remember if we had to choose just patterns or a magazine was ok, but it wouldn't matter. I'd cheat on this one. I can't live without my Ottobre tee!!! Even if I can only take my tee pattern pieces with me to the desert island, it would be worth it.
No. 11... New Look 6407
The best "basic shirt" pattern ever. All of my other tops are knit patterns so I would really have to take a woven pattern along to the island and this would be my first choice.
and finally No. 12...New Look 6429
I might find myself in need of a dressier dress than the Milan, thus the NL dress must make it into the top 12 also (even if the fit isn't totally perfected yet. But hey, I have a year, right?)
That's it! My 12 can't live without, TNT patterns. Of course I had runners up... Loes Hinse Cruise Pant and Textile Studeio Barcelona Dress (two old favorites that I remake a lot), and Ottobre 2/06 Ruffled Skirt (a peasant skirt I will never grow tired of) are three who hope they can stow away!
I can't wait to see everyone else's choices!
No. 1...Simplicity 5074
I've dressed these simple drawstring pants up, down and everywhere in between. I even used them for the One Pattern Many Ways contest last year on PR. Definitely a keeper.
No. 2...Simplicity 4068
Basic flat front, fly front trousers. You gotta have trousers. Right? I can even make these in denim.
No. 3...Loes Hinse Design Tango Skirt
Super simple, you almost don't need a pattern. But it's nice that someone else figured out the lengths and angles of the panels for me. Perfect execution every time, with a sassy little swish around your legs.No. 4...Loes Hinse Swing Skirt
Exactly what it claims to be...a flippy little skirt with lots of potential for variations.
No. 5...Loes Hinse Sweater Set
I've made this too many times to count, and it always amazes me how quickly it goes together and yet still looks like I picked it up at a boutique. Loes' magic. I love it in sweater weights and lighter knits too.
No. 6...Textile Studios Santa Monica Tee
I almost left this one off, but I do reach for it at least twice a year. Simple to construct, with an elegant neckline that never screams "homemade".
No. 7...Textile Studios Milan Dress
My all time favorite sundress pattern. The one people stop me to ask "this is gorgeous, where'd you get it?" Often.
No. .8..Textile Studios Capri Jacket
This is one of those patterns that I have to store in a big ziplock baggie and use extra care because the envelope and pieces are all raggedy from use. I've made it long, short, velvet, linen, and everything in between.
No. 9...New Look 6414
Lounge wear at its absolute best! I perfected the fit on the tops in this package a long time ago, so when I need a quick summer top I can whip one out in no time, but with style! The wrap jacket is a perfect complement to a cami or tank too, and goes together super easy because of the raglan sleeves.
No. 10...Ottobre 2/07 Puff Sleeve Tee
I can't remember if we had to choose just patterns or a magazine was ok, but it wouldn't matter. I'd cheat on this one. I can't live without my Ottobre tee!!! Even if I can only take my tee pattern pieces with me to the desert island, it would be worth it.
No. 11... New Look 6407
The best "basic shirt" pattern ever. All of my other tops are knit patterns so I would really have to take a woven pattern along to the island and this would be my first choice.
and finally No. 12...New Look 6429
I might find myself in need of a dressier dress than the Milan, thus the NL dress must make it into the top 12 also (even if the fit isn't totally perfected yet. But hey, I have a year, right?)
That's it! My 12 can't live without, TNT patterns. Of course I had runners up... Loes Hinse Cruise Pant and Textile Studeio Barcelona Dress (two old favorites that I remake a lot), and Ottobre 2/06 Ruffled Skirt (a peasant skirt I will never grow tired of) are three who hope they can stow away!
I can't wait to see everyone else's choices!
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Old Friends, New Friends
Earlier this week I had a day when I felt about as alone in the world as you can feel (surrounded by people.) I even commented to someone that I simply had no "friends" anymore. And then I was proven wrong.
I was asked to lunch today by a coworker who is fast becoming one of my favorite people. I haven't had lunch with a girlfriend in more than a year, and it was such fun! We had soup & yummy bread in a little coffee shop in town and chatted it up for more than an hour. (We also said grace before eating, which I almost never do because I'm usually eating alone. Have you ever been in that situation where you are awkwardly not going to say grace and your eating companion does? It didn't dampen the fun for me, just thought I'd throw it out there for ya so this post isn't entirely full of sap.)
Then when I got home, I had an email from my oldest girlfriend (not the oldest girl I know, but the one who's been stuck with me the longest period of time, HA!) but haven't seen in 2 years (or talked to since Christmas.) So I impulsively called her up and we had a nice long catch up too.
THEN I go through the rest of my emails and find that one of my very favorite blogger pals ever, Sew Random, has given me this:
Now I get to pass it on to some well deserving bloggers! I would have to pick:
Katie, who cracks me up while she's writing & sewing
Sharon, with the uber fun flashback Fridays! (And sewing goodies too)
Tamara, a new blogger friend & seamstress! (& one of those knitters too. I love knitters.)
Cosy Up, a gorgeous craft blog!
Cindy, who has the sweetest smocked dresses and things to share!
Of course the ultimate Excellent blog for me is Shannon of Frogs in a Bucket. One of my very best friends in the whole world, cyber or otherwise.
Now back to Lisa of Sew Random...she played an April Fool's trick on us readers, saying she had pared her patterns down to an even dozen Tried N Trues, because she figured she'd never in a million years be able to sew all of the rest up. It was a (funny) joke, but so many people fell for it, now she's asking this: What 12 TNT patterns would you take with you if you had to move into a small space w/no access to retail or internet pattern sources for one year?
Post a comment here or on Lisa's blog (or both!) and on Friday, we'll all have fun reading each other's can't-live-without dozen TNTs.
I was asked to lunch today by a coworker who is fast becoming one of my favorite people. I haven't had lunch with a girlfriend in more than a year, and it was such fun! We had soup & yummy bread in a little coffee shop in town and chatted it up for more than an hour. (We also said grace before eating, which I almost never do because I'm usually eating alone. Have you ever been in that situation where you are awkwardly not going to say grace and your eating companion does? It didn't dampen the fun for me, just thought I'd throw it out there for ya so this post isn't entirely full of sap.)
Then when I got home, I had an email from my oldest girlfriend (not the oldest girl I know, but the one who's been stuck with me the longest period of time, HA!) but haven't seen in 2 years (or talked to since Christmas.) So I impulsively called her up and we had a nice long catch up too.
THEN I go through the rest of my emails and find that one of my very favorite blogger pals ever, Sew Random, has given me this:
Now I get to pass it on to some well deserving bloggers! I would have to pick:
Katie, who cracks me up while she's writing & sewing
Sharon, with the uber fun flashback Fridays! (And sewing goodies too)
Tamara, a new blogger friend & seamstress! (& one of those knitters too. I love knitters.)
Cosy Up, a gorgeous craft blog!
Cindy, who has the sweetest smocked dresses and things to share!
Of course the ultimate Excellent blog for me is Shannon of Frogs in a Bucket. One of my very best friends in the whole world, cyber or otherwise.
Now back to Lisa of Sew Random...she played an April Fool's trick on us readers, saying she had pared her patterns down to an even dozen Tried N Trues, because she figured she'd never in a million years be able to sew all of the rest up. It was a (funny) joke, but so many people fell for it, now she's asking this: What 12 TNT patterns would you take with you if you had to move into a small space w/no access to retail or internet pattern sources for one year?
Post a comment here or on Lisa's blog (or both!) and on Friday, we'll all have fun reading each other's can't-live-without dozen TNTs.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Monday Monday
Ahhh...I'm tired. I spent 3 days this past weekend on a school trip, then have late school nights today and tomorrow. The good news is I'm off Friday! Yay!
When I got home, I had these two books waiting for me:
I really like Sewing in No Time by Emma Hardy. And I didn't expect to like it much at all. The cover just didn't do much for me. But it has SO many cute little projects in it! And I'm not much of a home dec sewist. The other book, Sew Many Bags Sew Little Time by Sally Southern, I really expected to enjoy. And I did...just not quite as much as I had originally hoped. It had cute projects, but nothing I haven't seen done before (and better.) And I do like to make handbags! So I was just a teensy disappointed in it. But I'll keep both books. You can never have too many sewing and craft books, you know!
New Vogues are out! I really like this Marci Tilton pattern. Not crazy about the skirt, but the little capri's are dang cute! I'm especially fond of the white topstitching on the navy.
I am also really liking this Issey Miyake jacket and pants. I really, really like the jacket, but something about the flow-y, not quite capri, not quite pants-pants are appealing too.
And I have always been a big fan of Adri. One of my favorite patterns EVER is an Adri pattern from Vogue, long OOP. This one reminds me of it so I will probably pick it up. I love the jacket on this one!
That's it for "sewing" from me this week. At least until Friday! And you know what else happens on Friday??
Yup, Battlestar Galactica FINALLY returns. Best show on tv. Ever. Need to catch up? Try this 8-minute recap. Hey, Brad Paisley loves BSG. So there.
Me & Shannon are going to have to have a cyber watch party! You with me Shannon??
When I got home, I had these two books waiting for me:
I really like Sewing in No Time by Emma Hardy. And I didn't expect to like it much at all. The cover just didn't do much for me. But it has SO many cute little projects in it! And I'm not much of a home dec sewist. The other book, Sew Many Bags Sew Little Time by Sally Southern, I really expected to enjoy. And I did...just not quite as much as I had originally hoped. It had cute projects, but nothing I haven't seen done before (and better.) And I do like to make handbags! So I was just a teensy disappointed in it. But I'll keep both books. You can never have too many sewing and craft books, you know!
New Vogues are out! I really like this Marci Tilton pattern. Not crazy about the skirt, but the little capri's are dang cute! I'm especially fond of the white topstitching on the navy.
I am also really liking this Issey Miyake jacket and pants. I really, really like the jacket, but something about the flow-y, not quite capri, not quite pants-pants are appealing too.
And I have always been a big fan of Adri. One of my favorite patterns EVER is an Adri pattern from Vogue, long OOP. This one reminds me of it so I will probably pick it up. I love the jacket on this one!
That's it for "sewing" from me this week. At least until Friday! And you know what else happens on Friday??
Yup, Battlestar Galactica FINALLY returns. Best show on tv. Ever. Need to catch up? Try this 8-minute recap. Hey, Brad Paisley loves BSG. So there.
Me & Shannon are going to have to have a cyber watch party! You with me Shannon??
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