Must Have Shoes

According to Nina Garcia there are five must have shoes styles every woman should own. One of those is a pair of Converse sneakers. I wonder if she had green in mind like I do?

(Image from Zappos)

The Vanity

1. Have a facial (done!)
2. Get a manicure (done!)
3. Get many pedicures (two so far!)
4. Work with a trainer
5. Buy a fabulous handbag
6. Figure out how to rock a belt
7. Find the perfect boots
8. Get awesome new shades
9. Decide my next hairstyle (done, I think!)
10. Wear make-up (on several occasions!)

Part of the 2011 in Lists Project

Kindergarten!

For more than a year now Little Miss Lou has been talking about when she was little. Because you know that at 4 going on 5 you are all grown up and ready to take on the world. Or really just take on kindergarten. And that’s just what she started doing last week.

As a complete, rambling aside….How did this happen? It was but yesterday that I met her for the first time. She was tiny little thing, only slightly bigger than a five pound bag of flour. Her car seat seemed to consume her and her beautiful, pink baby flesh. And poof, overnight, she’s five and getting ready for her first day of school. I certainly don’t feel five years older but one look at her and I realize time has been marching along. And in that gap of time a beautiful kid emerged, full of energy, imagination, politeness, and the occasional bad joke.

So, what was I to do but make her a kindergarten wardrobe? I may not be able to stop those hands of time but I can certainly turn out a handmade wardrobe special enough to mark this amazing milestone.

Of course, the patterns are from Oliver + S. They are simple, classic silhouettes and they’ve never let me down. I picked the jump rope dress (because I not so secretly wish they had an adult size), the Sunday brunch jacket and skirt, and the 2 + 2 blouse and skirt. For fabrics I wanted a palette of red, orange, turquoise, and blue. That led me to prints from Joel Dewberry, Heather Bailey, Cosmo Cricket, and Anna Griffin. And because not everything can be a print I chose some red broadcloth and red fine wale corduroy that feels as soft as velvet.

I couldn’t be more proud of the wardrobe I came up with. It’s perfect for a girl her age and will take her from late summer through fall and early winter. Imagine the dress on chilly days with tights and a cardigan. Or those blouses with a cute pair of cords and a long sleeve T underneath. And then there is the brunch jacket with a dark pair of jeans, some wild socks, and a pair of brown mary janes.

But all that pales in comparison to how proud I am of Little Miss Lou. Though she was a bit nervous she handled herself with such confidence that first day. Congratulations, my sweet Lou! I hope you enjoy every day of this new adventure.

Made by Me/Made by Rae

When it comes to sewing there are only a few things that I hate. One of those things I hate is clothing construction for moi. I know zip about fit and pattern alteration, and these seem to be important parts of clothing construction. So far this summer I’ve failed miserably at a dress (shapeless shift!) and turning said shapeless shift into a skirt. I hold out hope I can rescue the skirt but for now we need a little time apart.

But if at first, and second, you don’t succeed try, try again. And try again I did with this fabulous spring ruffle top from Made by Rae. The beauty of this pattern is that there are no pattern pieces. You measure where you need to measure and construct your own perfectly fitted pattern piece. Genius! And the construction was so easy, so straight-forward, that I completed it in an afternoon.

It’s not my typical blouse. I tend to shy away from really loose, flowing tops, always afraid someone might mistake me for a pregnant woman. But, I have successfully worn this out in public on several occasions and not once was I asked my due date or berated for drinking a beer in my condition. And, it’s a good thing, too. I probably would have popped them in the nose. Hoping, of course, not to get any blood on my beautiful summer top.

Spring ensemble

I did it! I found the perfect spring coat to go with my perfect vintage pin. Could I be content with that? No. I had to make the perfect patchwork scarf. It’s a good thing Heather Bailey looked in her crystal ball a few years ago, saw my future coat, and kindly included the perfect colorway in her Freshcut line. Yep, perfect.

etsy Shopping Spree

I had a little etsy shopping spree two weeks ago. My focus was accessories with a thought towards spring. I’ve been eyeing these sellers for a while and finally splurged on their beautiful wares.

From monicajtwo I got this great copper and turquoise bracelet. I almost missed out on this. I had browsed rather frequently at this piece and when, at last, I made up my mind it was gone! Thank God for etsy conversations. I crossed my fingers as I typed a message asking if she’d consider making another like it. The reply back was perfect! She’d love to make one for me and she would make it that very day. That is some amazing service to go along with an amazing bracelet.

Not to leave my ears out I picked up two pairs of earrings from MDsparks. The prices on her pieces are absolutely unbelievable. I’m not sure how she does it. What I do know is she does it simply, beautifully, and very well.

This year I am bound and determined to find a new spring coat. On that coat’s lapel I’ve imagined a fantastic vintage pin. I had been thinking a bright enamel pin but then I saw this funky rhinestone pin at VermontJewelry and knew it would be perfect for whatever coat I end up with.

Yep, a little retail therapy goes a long way to improving winter moods.

(photos by shop owners)

For Baby

Pajamas and slippers are the best. Pajamas and slippers for a newborn are even better.

These are the Kimono pajamas and cutie booties from Amy Butler’s Little Stitches for Little Ones. The Kimono pajamas came together very quickly and easily. I did find the directions for putting on the bias trim a bit strange. You start by attaching the bias trim as you would on a quilt, then folding it over to the back. Rather than stitching in the ditch the directions have you create a visible stitching line all around the trim. Why see stitching when you don’t need to?

Now about those cutie booties. Upon first glance I thought they’d be an easy project. Wrong, but that’s partly my fault. You see I skim directions more often than I read them. This leads to more time spent with my seam ripper than is necessary. If you want to avoid attaching the velcro four times I highly recommend carefully reading the instructions. OK, so I corrected those mistakes only to reach the end and find you have to hand sew the lining bottom in. Ugh! I hate handsewing! After much pinning and cursing and stitching while listening to This American Life podcasts I finished them. And they were worth it! Along with the pajamas they make a stunning baby gift, don't you think?

A whole lot of pink

Another pair of the Stay-on Baby Booties from Knitting for Baby, again made using the Filatura Di Crosa Italian cotton. They are for my hair stylist, who is having a little girl in a few short weeks. Aren't they yummy? Every time I make a pair of these I bemoan the fact they they don't come in my size. But this time I actually did something about it.

Behold, my new MP superwash wool tights from Cambridge Clogs in Porter Square (formerly Vintage, etc.) I've been wanting some warm tights for winter skirt wearing but have never been able to wear wool next to my skin for more than, oh, ten minutes or so without serious consequences. These MP tights are lined with cotton and are not itchy at all (they even come in organic cotton for those of you who are so inclined). I might have to go back for the blue pair, one can never have too many pairs of striped tights, right?

My eyes!

There I was, innocently browsing the internet in an attempt to find some new tights for fall/winter skirt wearing and I stumbled upon these and these amidst an entire page of these. Noooo!!!! People, footless leggings are for working out only. Period, end of discussion.

I was a little nervous when skinny jeans came back, but this makes it official, 80's fashion is here again. It was fun, once, but I am way too old to go there again. Plus, there is no way that I can endure the inevitable mid-life crisis album from Madonnna now that she is single again.

LilySea love

Allow me to introduce you to my new favorite necklace that I wore everywhere this summer. And by everywhere, I mean it went with me to Sarajevo, to Chicago, to Maine (twice) and to Canada. It was made by the lovely and talented Shannon from LilySea Designs who also made my wedding jewelry. So pretty and versatile - I love it.

Gifts for Babies

It’s hard to resist requests for crafting special gifts, especially when babies are involved. A few posts back Elise shared the first crafting request and her handsome little bear that was the beginning of the gift. Seeing him I realized my contribution to the project had better be good.

I decided to make a kid sized tote with initial applique where “I” is for Isaac. I chose denim for the exterior so that it would stand up on its own. The applique, lining, and handles are from Katie Jump Rope in colors of brown, blue, and green.

To round out the gift I whipped up two bibs from Amy Karol’s Bend the Rules Sewing.

I have to say the resulting gift pack is awfully perfect. I hope the recipients agree.

The second request came from the dudely after seeing Isaac’s tote. His college friends just welcomed their first baby and he thought it would be a perfect gift. Obviously, I couldn’t agree more. So this little guy also gets his own applique tote in denim with a Katie Jump Rope plaid in blue and green. Here “n” is for Nathan. I filled this tote with bibs and a board book. I believe it’s never too early to start reading to kids.

I think initial applique totes will become my go-to baby gift. I’ll just vary what I fill them with. I especially like that the tote will grow with the baby. I have visions of them walking into pre-school with their little totes in hand. But let’s not rush that.

Ambitious Weekend Recap: Day 4

And on the fourth day I created a skirt. To be specific it was an A-line skirt with lining from the Barcelona pattern. Even with my lingering hesitation about zipper installation this skirt couldn't have been easier.

The fabric is from my stash building efforts of last summer. It is a great funky print from Urban Chiks’ Summer in the City line. As soon as I saw this fabric I knew it had to be a skirt. I just didn’t know it would take a year to come to fruition. But good things come to those who wait. Or at least that’s what I thought until I tried it on.

I had carefully, and honestly, taken my measurements before cutting the fabrics. It was when I tried on the skirt prior to doing the hems that I realized my usual problem had once again reared its ugly head: perfect fit through the hips results in a gaping waistband. I think the nice way of putting that would be to call me an hourglass, very old Hollywood. The less nice way might be to call me a pear. Either way I need help.

This is where more experience with garment construction would really come in handy. Luckily I have a wonderful friend who has volunteered to help me with the tailoring. With a little modification I am sure we can create my personalized version of the A-line skirt. I know once that is worked out I’ll reach for the pattern over and over again.

In the mean time I’m going to stock up on some of the great décor weight fabrics released this spring/summer from Anna Maria Horner and Joel Dewberry. Doing the lining was very simple but if I’m going to create two hems I’d prefer them to be on two skirts. After all two skirts are better than one!


I have to say the ambitious weekend four projects in four days was a huge success. It's a rare occurrence to do so much sewing for myself. I foresee making this a recurring event. With every change in season a weekend of ambitious sewing could add great new clothes and accessories to my closet. I think it's something we should all do. Care to join in?

Rainy Day People*

I do love a rainy day. Perhaps it stems from growing up in an area that had very few. It did rain, but usually in the passing shower or isolated thunderstorm kind of way. How I treasured those rare occasions when it poured all day long. They were always about the inside: making soup, baking, crafts, finding a cozy spot to curl up and read. I'm still energized when I wake up to soft grey light gently filling the room and the sound of rain drops outside. Colours are brighter, ideas more vivid. A new rain coat doesn't hurt either.

*Gordon Lightfoot, of course. Lyrics here. Oh, just buy the album.