watermelon halter top

What a perfect way to welcome summer then with a nice breezy halter top.

This knit is so sweet and was a perfect project to start on the beach.
I used this yarn last summer to make two tops for Ms. S and really liked working with it.

Design: Haltermelon by Never not Knitting. Pattern here
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Premiere 50% Pima Cotton 50% Tencel

pom pom necklace

I made myself this necklace on Friday night and I thought I'd share a tutorial for how I did it. My inspiration was the beautiful jewelry made by The Vamoose.
It is pretty straightforward. If you have made pom poms and have a little experience with jewelry making you should have no problem

Material List:
Pom Pom Maker- I used a Clover pom pom maker and it has a marking of 45 on it. I measured the circumference of it and it seems to be about a 1 1/2" circle
Muslin or fabric of your choice
Nylon Beading Cord
Clasp
2 Crimp Beads with clamshell
Darning Needle
Jewelry Pliers

I used a medium weight muslin and cut strips that were about 1/2" wide.
You will need at least 2 strips or possibly more. I used 2 on each side of the pom pom maker and one to tie the knot in the middle because my strips were only about 16"
If you had one really long piece you would only need one to wrap and one small one for the tie.

To get started. You take your strips and wrap them around the pom pom maker. The Clover tool has two sides so you do one side, close it and then do the other. Take your last strip and make a knot in the middle. Then cut around all the strips and open it up. Proceed to make two more. Trim around the edges if necessary so the pom pom has a nice shape and fluff it out.

With your darning needle string the bead cord through the eye of the needle and then string your pom poms on.
Tie a knot on each end and clamp it shut with the clamshell side of the crimp beads. Do the same on the other side and attach the crimp beads to your clasp closing the rings.

You will get some loose threads falling out as the edges are frayed. If this does not suit you put some fray check on the ends.

All done.



If you make one, let me know. I would love to see it.
Please do not make to sell.

Enjoy.

fancy pants

Bloomers have been made for me!

I've been wanting to sew up some up for a while and when my 4 year olds egyptian cotton sheets got a rip in them I was ever so happy. I've been eyeing those sheets for sewing purposes since my Mom bought them for him when he transitioned to a bed 2 years ago. Egyptian cotton is so soft and has a beautiful sheen to it.

The pattern is free and is by Colette Patterns.

Happy weekend to you...

#1 outfit based on a watercolor/collage

I've been wanting to work on collection of girl's outfits based on a painting. Because I want to remain a little mysterious at this point I'm not going to reveal which artist or piece but it's a good one.

This dress is the first in the series and I used a pattern from 1973 and it's a size 3. What is sort of fun about this is this is the year the artist died and it's also the year a certain someone was 3 and would have worn this size. The pattern is McCall's 3501 and it will be used a few times.

It is made of orange linen in a medium weight and it came together just the way I hoped it would. I love the pinafore ruffle style on the bodice and the wide sash that ties in a bow in the back. I think maybe a little starch on the bow to make it nice and stiff would be good.

This project may take a while as there a lot of outfits but, I'm really happy to have started on it. My model woke up with the birds this morning so I wasn't going to attempt a modeling session.

my cup of tea

My cup of tea: a little wool felt & embroidered brooch.

Tea times: restful, charming, a chance to sit down, eat delicious sweet and savory food, socialize, dress up.

The English are so smart! I want to make tea time a part of my every day as I seem to have lost the routine.

dress-up wings

As soon as I saw the pattern for dress-up wings I pushed all my projects (and I've got a lot going on) aside to make some last night. I made one pair but have a few more cut out.

S picked out her outfit this morning and a little while later I brought down the wings which she immediately took to which was nice.

The pattern is by Tiny Happy whose blog I read faithfully and is also a reader of mine. Hi Melissa!
I love the pattern. I especially love it in the yellow floral she used.

Update: This pattern is also great for boys and works just as well on my 4 year old son.

1947

Last Labor Day weekend I happened upon a yard sale up the street from my parents house. That is where I found this piece for $10. Since then it has sat in the garage along with some other furniture pieces that need some help.

I decided that I would paint it since the legs were in pretty bad shape and the wood veneers were all scratched up. I sanded and painted it and then painted again. First I painted it 'society hill blue' but, wasn't sure if I liked it so I changed it to 'swiss coffee' and now love it.




Inside a surprise.





A Singer sewing machine. I have yet to see if it works but, it needs a bobbin plate to start.





I researched the serial number and found out the model was manufactured in 1947. Even if I don't get around to fixing up the machine right away I love it for it's history and the table looks quite nice as a decorative or serving piece.
Definitely worth the $10 price tag