Sewing Room Inspiration

Currently I'm hard at work picking colors to paint the upstairs and just get everything pulled together. Almost 5 years ago we moved into this house while I mas 6 months pregnant. My priority was Lucy's room and the downstairs. We just have never gotten around to painting and decorating the upstairs - mainly our room and the extra/sewing room. Mitch has finally conceded the extra room to me but it will still need to serve the function of a guest room. My plan is to convert the closet into a sewing/craft storage space and buy a sewing table that I can fold up and roll into the closet so that when guests are here, they don't have to look at (admire) my sewing projects.

I have bought two wonderful books to help me along the process and also discovered the magazine above, which doesn't come out until next month. The books can be found here and here on amazon and you can visit the crafter whose room is on the cover of the magazine here.

Basically, I need to get a painter hired and going so that I can keep my momentum. I'll post updates as they happen.

Another one bites the dust

Goodbye CRAFT. See you online.

Gratuitous Lucy Photo and Lily Allen

I'm posting this picture for no reason other that I think it's a fabulous photo of Lucy. We were at the airport eating a bit of breakfast before getting on the plane. She has this sassy, bored and just-so-Lucy look on her face. I love it!

And if you haven't bought it yet - go buy Lily Allen's latest album RIGHT NOW! I love her. I woke up this morning with a huge smile on my face knowing that her album would be waiting for me to download on itunes - I bought it a few weeks ago so that I could have it today. Can't remember the last time I did that. Probably Pink's sophomore release in 2001 - it came out on my birthday (November 15th for the record.)

So, what are you waiting for, head over to itunes or amazon and get that album. You will love it!

A Finished Project!!

"Claire" Dress, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

This dress was made using the "Claire" Pattern from PortabelloPixie Boutique Patterns. the fabrics are Heather Bailey of course. Overall, it's an easy pattern - my only source of frustration was the machine applique of the flowers on the apron but that has less to do with the pattern and more to do with me and my machine (more on that later in this post.) I wish that I could show you a picture of Lucy modeling the dress but she refused to try it on for no apparent reason other than that I asked her to. Now it is hanging in the shop to inspire others. I hope they don't look too closely at my applique....

Now to my machine. Grrr. I can't get the tension to be right. I've messed with the bobbin and the tension on the top thread with no success. I broke down and took it in for a service which I know is the right thing to do but really I want a new machine. The shop is going to start carrying them in a month (yeah!) which is great for the owner but bad for me - too much temptation. I am trying to stay focused on my quest for a serger. I may just have to put blinders on when I walk in and ignore the whole machine section. ha! That will never happen.

I bought this pattern from Wee Wonderfuls hoping that Lucy and I can work on them together. My mother made me Raggedy Ann and Andy as a kid and they are still my favorites, aside from Mandy and Jenny of course. So, once my machine returns from the sewing machine "hospital" Lucy and I will get to work.

The written word

I really miss receiving and sending mail. Also, I love the concept of calling cards. Whenever I read Jane Austen or watch Masterpiece Theater, I wish that I had a few calling cards in my back pocket. Or even just little cards to jot down a website or phone number for a friend or new acquaintance. Well, at last I think I have found the perfect solution. These notecards and little cards from the Small Object are just adorable. And better yet, they're available as a PDF so you can print as many as you like. So, if you are my friend or relative, get ready. I have cards and I am prepared to use them!

Bacon

Check this site out! I love it! Click here to see it in action.

On a Happier Note

Yesterday I picked up this little book and have been pleasantly surprised by its contents. The pictures are crisp and the projects are inviting. Plus, Jenny Ryan writes for BUST, my new favorite magazine so the book has to be great. In theory, I don't need a book of patterns to make the projects she describes but that's really not the point. What's nice here is the inspiration and the way that she uses notions such as ribbons, ric-rac and buttons. Also the vintage towels and sheets look modern and fresh as purses, sewing machine covers and baby doll blankets. Very recessionista. I recommend it for new sewers and old (read experienced) who are looking for something different and an excuse to stay up late reading sewing books. In fact, that is what I'm going to do right now. Ta ta.

Magazine Blues

First Martha Stewart Kids, then Blueprint, then Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion and now Domino! I can't believe it. All that's left is Martha Stewart Living and some random Euro design magazines. Plus all the Better Homes and Gardens Special Decorating Issues. Oh, and dwell - that will probably be cancelled too. I guess I will have to start reading Real Simple again though I swear their target audience is a divorced 40 year-old executive mom. Not a chocolate-eating-crafty-part-time nurse-midwife-married-mother. Come to think of it, Bust sounds like it's more my style. I just got a subscription which sadly means that it will probably be discontinued in a month or two. Sorry.

PS - I love Atomic Ranch but I don't dare get a subscription to that. It contains all my hopes and dreams for my perfect 50's ranch-style home. I need something to look forward to at the bookstore!

Hello

I'm still around just not blogging much. We went on vacation for a week and since then I've been trying to recover from it. Why is that? It is so true that I feel like I need a vacation after vacation to recover from vacation!

Currently I am working on one of Sandi Henderson's dress patterns and hope to have the dress finished this week. It's adorable. In the meantime, here's a link to my friend's finished dresses. She did a great job - can you believe these were her first dress projects? Go Candace!

I'll be back soon with pics.

Lucy's cupcake

Lucy's cupcake, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Lucy gave me the book Hello Cupcake for the holidays and has been asking to make cupcakes everyday since then. We made these this past Sunday and it really was fun. I used this Vanilla Vanilla recipe on the MSL website, courtesy of Billy's Bakery. I also used the butter cream recipe that went with the cupcakes, just adding more powdered sugar to thicken the icing. Then we decorated much to Lucy's delight and my own. These are covered with sprinkles and twizzlers cut into small pieces.

Our other cupcakes may not look perfect but they are tasty and weren't around for long!

Lucy in Portabello Pixie Gracie Dress

Lucy in Portabello Pixie Gracie Dress, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Can't believe that I never posted this! Things got super-busy with the holidays: Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas! I loved making this dress - for now it's at Pennington Quilt works. Now that the holidays are over, I'm busy with a pair of pants and another dress from the same pattern collection.

Lots of posting to come this month. Plus I've noticed that many people come looking for Mandy and Jenny patterns/inspiration. I'm going to post more about those too in the coming months.

Happy New Year!

My birthday cake

My birthday cake, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I celebrated my birthday recently and had the pleasure of making my own chocolate cake. For the cake and frosting I used a recipe from Birthday Cakes. Yum! Lucy was very concerned that I wasn't having a party for my birthday so she "invited" a few friends over for pizza, cake and dress-up. She had every intention of helping me make the cake but those dress-up clothes were just too tempting!

So, I'm a year-older and I hope that makes me a year-wiser. The last few years have certainly presented my family and me with a number of challenges that I think we have trudged through with only a few scrapes remaining. I'm grateful to all my friends and family for their support and love and hope that I can reciprocate when the time comes.

Happy Belated Birthday to Me!

Going shawl crazy

Koigu shawlette, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I'm way into shawls these days. Not really sure why. I think I was missing my knitting, particularly all the Koigu I have stashed away! I just grabbed a few skeins that were already wound (probably for some other UFO), cast on and started knitting. I might give this one to my mother for Christmas but I'm sure that she won't mind if I wear it until then....

I have a WIP using Ella Rae Lace Merino. This yarn is lovely and very indulgent. Though I have to admit that I'm anxious to finish it so that I can get back into that Koigu stash.

Happy Knitting!

Is it too late for a Halloween Picture?

Neptune and mermaid, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Lucy went as the Little Mermaid. I made her costume out of some blue pique I found in my stash. The pattern is a mix of one of the new patterns from Portabello Pixie and a Simplicity mermaid pattern. It worked out well but I think it's the wig that made the costume! Mitch decided to go as Neptune. Lucy had lots of fun pulling off his beard!

Recently I've become obsessed with Angry Little Girls. Hilarious and a bit dark - what does that say about me? ha ha!

Weekender Bag Class

Weekender Bag Class, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Here are the pics from my class. I think that everyone did really well and I loved their fabric choices.

I love how Laurel centered a bird on her side pocket panel!

All these bags almost inspires me to make another one....

Weekender Bag's first outing

Weekender Bag's first outing, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

What an amazing week in American History! I couldn't start this post without acknowledging our country's progress!

My Weekender Bag went on its first trip a few weeks ago. We visited my brother in Atlanta and I also took a class at the SAGA convention. We had a lovely time and I think the Bag enjoyed getting some fresh air. As a safeguard, I sprayed the bag with Scotchguard.

The bag is now safely back at the shop - I was a bit stressed carrying it around with me plus I want to teach my class one more time. I'll post those photos tomorrow.

Flirty Skirt and Halloween Skirt

Flirty Skirt and Halloween Skirt, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

While Lucy and I were in Atlanta, she performed for us on my brother's balcony. Yes, that is a flirty skirt covering the Halloween play-skirt I made for her. The skirt turned out a bit fuller and longer than I expected but Lucy clearly didn't mind. And yes, she is dancing with a dreidel in her hand. I believe she was pretending that it was a microphone.

Still working on her mermaid costume. Ugh. My mother looked at it today and I could see that she was trying to say something nice about it, particularly that it looked like an actual mermaid for a preschooler. sigh. I mean, it's a costume for a 4 year old and it's not store bought so it's going to be fine, right??

I would love to spend the day sewing tomorrow but I also have to pull together Lucy's birthday party on Saturday. Fortunately we are doing it at a local bird preserve so I don't have to plan entertainment. However, Lucy is expecting me to make mini cupcakes for the party as well as mini cut-out cookies for her class on Friday. Sometimes I wonder why I can't be one of those women who just buys stuff from a regular store? I mean, does anyone even notice the extra effort it takes? Well, that's a silly questions because I notice and I think that Lucy notices too. And, I enjoy doing it...most of the time.

First game of the World Series on tv - gotta run. GO PHILLIES!!

Shadow Work Initital

Shadow Work Initial, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

This is one of the things that I learned - Shadow Work. This particular design is from a new book called Old Fashioned Baby. The designs are adorable. Her other patterns are equally lovely. Plus, at the SAGA market, she had the most fabulous collection of vintage buttons and lace. Oh my!!

Stitching Away

This last week I went to visit my brother and his wife in their new city - Atlanta. While there, I had the opportunity to take a class as part of the Smocking Arts Guild of America Convention. My class was with Wendy Schoen - I learned shadow work embroidery and gold work. The class was challenging but I really enjoyed myself and was surprised to find how much I enjoyed delicate stitch work. I will post pics of my projects this week and also provide more details on the convention in general.

I also took my Weekender Bag on its first trip! I took pictures of it on its outing as well and will post those over the coming days. It really is a very functional bag and quite comfortable on my shoulders though, if I do another one, I think that I will make the straps a bit wider and perhaps padded as well.

Happy Stitching!

The Delights of Fall

Apple Pie after shot, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I love fall, absolutely love it! When I was growing up in Oklahoma, fall always meant the end of the summer heat - we could finally sit outside comfortably and enjoy the breeze coming off the plains. Plus, there's nothing as great as shopping for back-to-school. I still look forward to each fall fashion with all its tweeds, jewel tones and cozy sweaters. And, unlike winter, during fall one can enjoy the crisp air without bundling up in a coat and multiple other warm accessories.

Plus, the fall harvest. Now that I live in NJ, I have the opportunity to buy locally grown produce. Lucy and I go to our CSA each week and pick up our share of veggies and fruit. We look forward to each week, wondering what goodies await us at the farm stand. Last week we were delighted to find squash, pumpkins,, swiss chard, peppers, lettuce, beets, radicchio and more! And the tomatoes - we've been getting them for about 6 weeks and they have been sweet and juicy. Below is my latest collection of sauce tomatoes ready to be blanched and frozen for winter stew.

In the last week, Lucy and I made two pies, a batch of applesauce and apple muffins. I bought Winesaps and Macouns at the Trenton Farmer's Market. The Winesaps were great in the pies and the Macouns were crisp and sweet treats. I"m hoping to get the Terhune Orchards to pick apples with Lucy tomorrow. As a child in Oklahoma I could never have imagined the opportunity to pick my own apples!

And finally, a bit unrelated, here's a picture of my Tupperware pastry rolling mat. As young children and teenagers, my brother and I rolled out hundreds of batches of cookies and pastry on this mat. My mom gave it to me when I moved into my first apartment in Philadelphia more than a decade ago. To see Lucy's little hands working at this mat reminded me of my own childhood and the simple joys of cooking with my mother.

Get outside and breath in the cool, crisp air. Enjoy.