dacia's bird skirt

Are you having a deja vu moment? Well, if you have seen Dacia's post and then more recently her very generous and free pattern instructions for making said skirt then you are not crazy. I have indeed made the bird skirt and am so happy and in love with the fabric and pleated skirt and again like last Monday I am feeling springy, girly and giddy.

A few things happened when making the skirt that I'm not sure if i understood the directions clearly. When putting in the zipper I put the zipper in face up inside the skirt. So the right side of the zipper is facing the wrong side of the fabric but can be zipped so that the zipper pull is on the outside like it would normally be. Now this could just be a phrasing thing but, the way I read it the zipper sounded like it would be put in upside down which didn't make sense to me. I did it that way first thinking it was something magical and would turn the other way but right afterwards was like..no it's the way I think it's supposed to go. Trust your instincts. When gathering the front panel also gather the back panels. I didn't see that in the instructions. Also, I don't know if I did something wrong when I cut the back bands but, they came out way too long so I had to cut several inches off of both of them. As for sizing, I don't have a super small waist and there is only about a 6 inch difference between my waist and hips. That said, I don't like things sitting on my actual waist so I measured the band to be a about 1 - 1 1/2 half inches above my hips. This didn't look right so I ended up taking the band in 1/2 inch on both sides and it's much better. I did think about going all the way down with the seam but, it's not really noticeable with the pleats.

cherry blossoms

Yesterday, we went to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens to see the cherry blossoms. Cherry Blossom trees make me feel a little like Alice when she falls down the rabbit hole into wonderland.

i love

my new pillow.






Last night I finished embroidering my Kurt Halsey pillow. I got this new artist series pattern from Sublime Stiching and I am so in love with both the pattern and the way it turned out. I think those bugs are actually bees but I wasn't into bees. I love honey but I'm a little bit scared of bees and I think they can be a bit pushy and mean. So, I went with blue bugs. I love the way the stars look in the peach color - a little moonlight glow to them and what's not to love about the angel and bird. I really enjoyed stitching it and even though I so badly wanted to finish it at the end I got a little sad when it was done. Do you feel that way with projects? Kind of like a good book...

goodies

These are the goodies I picked up at Purl on Saturday. Just seeing them make me smile. I've got good ideas for the yarn and some things spinning around my head for those cute bundles. The linen will be a stuffie.

mumma and little m

This photo was taken early last June. Here (Mumma and Little M) we are at a friend's art opening. Mumma is the way he says Mama sometimes.

I've been busy updating my shop with new photos as some were a bit dull in quality and as you can see I made an Etsy mini.

happy mondays

Today is a happy Monday. One can't always say that about Mondays but, it is how I feel. The spring weather is making me giddy and I'm feeling extra girlish. Perhaps that is what inspired me to make these sweet garlands which I enjoyed so much that I will be making more.




I had a really great birthday. Little M gave me 2 Japanese craft books - one is felted toys and the other is quilted accessories.
Grammie came too and I went for a wander around town for a little bit by myself including a saunter down the cobblestone streets which always make me feel a tiny bit like I'm in Europe and then we all went to the park. In the evening, I met Big M for dinner at Mexicana Mama's and then we wandered around the West Village. The meal was perfect and exactly what I wanted. Then home for cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery and more presents which were all amazing including chocolate from Marie Belle and a gift certificate to Purl . Can you believe I have held out going there for so long? So, guess what I did on Saturday? Yes, I went to Purl. I was early and being outside looking in through their gorgeous window displays was a little like torture but, it was worth the wait. I did some yarn shopping and fabric shopping. It may just be the prettiest yarn shop I've ever been to. The fabric stores cute bundles were making me crazy as well as the thread in glass jars.
Later in the day, the M's and I went to Van Saun Park and rode the choo choo train and took in their zoo. We got to see the snowy owl, screech owl, prairie dogs, monkeys etc. I did a bit of sewing on Sunday and we took in some open houses for research purposes mostly.
It was a busy and fun weekend.

happy birthday to me

what it looked like today

This is what my desk looked like today. Not too much getting done....lots getting started... 2nd year molars coming in...not mine.

vintage button swap deux... package received

Today, the postman brought me my vintage button swap package.
I was so excited to find so many goodies inside.

buttons attached to sweet spring coloring picture



handmade foresty book bag with sweet apple tree lining and mushroom pocket




book



sweet trims and mushroom



felted fairy mushroom doll and needle felting supplies



I love everything.
Thanks so Much Lorien!

pom pom hat

Okay Marieke, I am ready to meet you in Paris for that cafe au lait...perhaps a croissant or a crepe as well. Let's cross the Seine and talk about art, fashion and knitting. Obviously, we will wear our hats so we can spot each other.

For those of you that don't know what I'm talking about please click here.

I love my hat and am really into this dark teal blue color. I decreased my own way though as I was a bit confused about the pattern instructions.

P.S. I've no idea what to do when I point the camera at myself which makes for very silly modeling. It's okay to laugh, really.

a lovely new shop

Yesterday, I went to a new vintage/antique store that just opened in town called Mackey Blue.

I am thrilled to have this new shop in town as I have seen many vintage stores close over the years I have been here and we were in sore need of one. The owner, Karen, is very nice and her prices are manageable.

Inside you will find treasures such as old typewriters, vintage books, costume jewelry, housewares etc. I could go on but, you should stop in and say hello and poke about yourself. We are also in discussion to carry some of my items.

I left with the following:

teacups



a wool (possibly blend) fabric bundle, a old camera and a typewriter tin to add to my metal tin collection




I'm off for a spot of tea now.

Until tomorrow...

Yours Truly

sophia headboard & knitting in progress

A new headboard. It's Pottery Barn (cough cough) but it was on sale and with shipping and surcharges it came just under budget. I do love it although we had planned on a iron bed but ms. picky (me) was having trouble finding one that was perfect and for a queen bed and in budget.

Knitting works in progress:


Exhibit A - My longest WIP- a sweater for Blythe. It just needs to be sewn up. Perhaps I need a Blythe doll to inspire me to finish her darling sweater. My birthday is on Thursday...hint hint..




Take a look at this sweetie pie in her crocheted dress


Exhibit B -

This hat






Exhibit C -

This purse

covering buttons

covering buttons
Originally uploaded by nancy cook.

I bought some button covering kits last time I was in the city. I love making them. It is fun, not challenging and perfect when you are tired but still feel like making something.
I will be making more. I think I will try to sell some as well.
These I made with a vintage floral courderoy fabric I bought many moons ago at a church rummage sale.

my first ever quilt

I've no idea what I'm doing. Let me just repeat that in case you didn't hear me, okay... I've no idea what I'm doing. All is fine really since this quilt is for me even though it is a crib quilt and I've no baby girl or baby girl on the way. Perhaps, someday. For now it is just an experiment.

I think this style quilt may be called a crazy quilt. That would be a good name for it because it is crazy. Crazy that I'm doing it. If I can attempt this you can too and I'm not just saying that. I'm not an expert seamstress or anything.

So here it is- well the quilt top at least:




It's a bit wonky as I should have ironed pre-sewing the quilt squares down because a few of them are a bit puckered. Will this get better once I add the batting and back or should I take out and re-do? Any advice?
The best part of sewing the squares is that I used the zig-zag stitch and so I didn't have to hem the raw edges.
The squares are all reproduction fabrics that I picked up on ebay quite a while ago. You may remember this post where I first talked about this idea.
I'm using a tea-stained color linen for the quilt that I thought would be off-white (that's what I ordered at least) but, I'm happy with the color so all is good that ends good. However, it's not over yet.

blossom pins

I've always liked big puffy flowers- dahlias, hydrangea, peonies and so that is what inspired me to make the blossom (puff) flower pins. The first ones I made looked like mini pincushions and so I've decided to add a wool felt leaf and less wrapping of the embroidery from now on. They are made just like the pincushions but are approximately half the size. I'm working on some polka dot ones now but in the meantime I've added the one above to my shop.
Speaking of blossoms, I can't wait for this.

pom pom bunny

I feel compelled to show you another bunny that I made today. This time from a Jennifer Murphy pattern.

I want to carry her around in my pocket because she is so cute!

The Easter Bunny

The Easter bunny has been busy making all his baskets....so busy that he passed out on the floor but I've now safely put him to bed to rest up for his big day tomorrow.

May all your baskets be filled with goodies of the best kind!

xx
M M & N

*Thanks to Jess for sharing this great bunny pattern.

this is a happy house!

Today is the day, the day of days - our Mini Swap party!

I will begin by quoting Little M - WOW!

The lovely Patricia spoiled us to no end. Not 1 but, 2 APRONS= a art smock + a personalized kitchen helper apron. And, let's not forget tons of goodies and the most awesome recipes. Also, everything was packaged so nicely.








Goodies included: bubbles, playdoh, 2 pinwheels, mini baking stuff- tart pan, bundt pan, loaf pan, a rolling pin, 3 cookie cutters. And for Mama- a Green and Black Organic Dark Chocolate bar (how did she know I love Green and Black's chocolate? + I just finished off one last night and there was no chocolate in the house..the perfect in-between to get me through to Sunday). Then, the lovely tea bag coasters that she sewed for me with lavender inside.




Now, let's talk about the recipes. I would never have thought of these but, making these with Little M is going to be so much fun. I think he will be really excited about these...Kool Aid Playdoh, Butter and Ice Cream (yum).





Thank you so much Patricia, Stephen, Marley and Madyson! You really made our day.



Now, just as fun as receiving these gifts was making an apron and sending goodies to Hanna and Ann. I made Hanna a butterfly apron that I designed. It ties with ribbon on both sides with the intention of it being able to fit her over several years. I themed the recipes around butterfly's as well. I also sent along lollipops, ric-rac sewing trim and mini flowers for Ann to craft with, wooden H's, a sticker and make your own photo magnets.

rainy day pouch

I finished up this rainy day pouch yesterday on a seriously rainy day. It was a longer process than usual because I had my Mom felt it and she didn't realize it can take a long time to felt and so she only worked on felting it once in a while over several months. Me...I would just do it in one day until it felted. She was funny though because she really doesn't get these sort of things and would keep bringing it to me to see if it was done. I would have felted it a little more but I didn't have the heart to tell her to do it again. It's pretty sturdy and I put a light blue flannel lining in after I embroidered. The embroidery which is done with my crewel embroidery yarn stash and wool felt was totally taken from this book.
I'm actually feeling really inspired by embroidering on top of yarn and currently have mittens on the mind and yes, I know it's Spring but, there were snow flurries this morning.
Lux - our overly needy boy cat decided he wanted in on the action with the above photo but here is a non-kitty cat photo for you too.

balloonatic

Around here there is a lot of talk about balloons. The last time I bought Little M a balloon and told the salesgirl how much he loves balloons she said we call them balloonatics.

Of course, there is the balloon in the classic favorite Good Night Moon and then there are balloons in his Curious George books and one in Angus and the Cat. If you look around, there are balloons everywhere: outside barbershops, new shops, stoops. It's amazing how many balloons you will see on your average day.

His all-time favorite balloon book though and mine too is this one below. The story is so endearing and a great all ages book.

home sweet home

On and off, I've had houses on my mind for awhile now. What kind of home do I want next? Another condo here, a house in another city, the burbs, a country house, a European house. Okay, I'm not serious with that last one but, there is nothing wrong with dreaming about it, right?

These types of decision make my head spin. In reality, we are limited by commuting as M works in Manhattan. Plus, we love the city. The reason I think about this mostly has to do with the desire for a yard, more space, and less noise.

Anyway, houses aren't happening here at the moment. For now, sewing up houses seems like the perfect diversion.