Monday, April 25, 2011

Vote for your favorite!

Haven has become quite the songwriter. She's been taking guitar lessons for about six months and I'm super impressed with her progress. She has been writing music and poetry since she was little, and now she can write the music to go with it. The older she gets the more her songs start to sound "real" and not written by a child. She and Rob are in the process of recording some of her music so she can have her first album. I have no abilities at all on the writing or recording front, but I can take pictures! So Haven and I went out yesterday and drove around the area and took some photos. I messed around with a few from each location to get the "album cover" look. These are just rough drafts, but they are pretty fun. So let us know what you think would make a good album cover! She has her teen friends voting on facebook too, so I'm curious to see what the adults will think compared to the teens.


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Sunday, April 24, 2011

Sewing

Summer Picnic Blouse/Dress


This pattern has a major malfunction. I had to work really hard to make it work! The problem is that right bodice piece. It's funky! I had to alter the pattern piece a lot to make it work. If enough people are having trouble making this fit I can do a little step by step or something. I think for thin people it probably looks just fine. Second problem is the front skirt piece has a curve on the top which turns into a poof which would be PERFECT for someone with a little baby bump under there. But since I do not have that, nor do I want to look as if I do... I will have to alter that if I make it again. Ok... well, even though I had problems and had to do a bunch to fix it, I get tons of compliments when I wear it!

Oliver + S Sketchbook Shirt
Purl Soho Tie




As opposed to the picnic dress, these patterns are AWESOME!!!! The Oliver + S patterns are just great! The way the yoke is constructed is GENIUS! The collar construction is pretty cool too, though I think I prefer a traditional collar stand.

The ties are addictive!! In the last couple of weeks I made four ties for Ethan and two for Mary's son Nikolas. The pattern and tutorial can be found here. I have to admit that I did not really use the instructions. If you know me at all you know I still hate hand sewing. And this pattern is completely hand sewn! Yuck! So I just did it my own way and they worked out fine. Not heirloom or anything, but good enough for a little boy!

I am so happy with these shirts and ties! He is absolutely adorable in them!!

Spring Top Sew Along




Made by Rae is hosting a Spring Top Sew Along. You can click the graphic above to see all the rules and see if you want to participate. These are the two tops I've submitted. I may get one more submitted... we'll see.

First up is the second "Frankie" shirt. I'm still perfecting it, but I really like it. This one is made out of voile from the Anna Maria Horner "Innocent Crush" line. Her voiles are soooo nice. The yoke and sleeves are red chambray.


The next top is called "JJ Redrafted" on Burda Style. The designer is Ana Jan. I found her during Me Made March and her stuff is AMAZING. The pattern she uploaded was only in size 38 (about a US size 8) so I had to enlarge it several sizes. I actually made a muslin and a wearable muslin before cutting into this fabric. Fabric is from the Basic Grey collection "Origins."


I shirred the sleeves to make the bell cuff instead of using a tie. I was just too lazy to make the tie.

I have some more sewing to share and some Easter pics, so I'll try to get caught up on blogging! After Me Made March I think I went into blogging hibernation!

Monday, April 4, 2011

so so happy teen


Normally I don't really get jazzed by the "interesting" characters from Hot Topic, but the "so so happy" line did catch my eye. Who couldn't love a monster with reverse Tourette's syndrome who randomly shouts out compliments and who's catch phrase is "hug it out" !!! Irresistible. In addition to the horns on the hoodie, it has scales down the back, which I would have photographed if my camera didn't die at that exact moment....

Friday, April 1, 2011

Personal Note

Some of you know, and some of you don't know, that our family has been going through some very surprising, very stressful events since January. I have now received three anonymous comments on my blog asking me questions about what's going on. My email address is at the top of this blog site and in our church directory. I am also on Facebook. If you know me enough to ask me questions about our situation, please don't do it anonymously. Please email me so I can answer your questions and know who I'm talking to. Thank you for your concerns and please keep our family in your prayers.