SumThings

click here to shop

:: no DE in my tox ::

:: Mental detox isn't going according to plan...just one little post before i leave.  I am headed out for NYC this weekend, and of course, had to sew up a few City Outfits.  I have a running internal debate about the clothes I wear.  I found myself mentally negotiating about the length of my dress as i decided on a hem length.  When i stopped to wonder who exactly I was trying to compromise with, i realized that it was not a person, but rather a place.  I live in a fairly conservative, very small town, so my internal dialog was working through the acceptable, modest, yet still fashionable hem line.  I would much prefer my summer skirt length to be between 3-4 inches about the knee.  However, in order to wear these new duds to work, they have to fall AT the knee.  So, i compromised (with some mystical force) and decided to go In Between ::

:: I sewed my first collar and REAL sleeves this weekend.  Again, with much help from mom....thanks mom, you're the best!  I love love love the way it turned out.  I especially love the fabric print.  I got it in two more colorways, too.  yummy! Don'tcha just love the sweet hangers I got from The Small Object?::

:: I altered the pattern for this top a bit.  I made shorter sleeves with some gathers around the band.  I didn't want buttons on the front, either.  I really like how the fabric color and pattern looks so different from afar...almost like little flowers.  It is super comfy and will be a staple in the spring/summer rotation::

:: UPDATE:: after seeing this pic, i totally ripped out the hem on this shirt and re-stitched with matching thread...looks way better :) ::

:: I initially bought the pattern for the top in order to turn it into a dress.  I have been completely inspired by Jenny at Wiksten lately and cannot wait to see her new stuff!  She is an amazing designer and I am saving my pennies, hoping to buy one of her designs.  But, until then, I ventured out on my own with her inspirational spirit to guide me! ::

:: After the success of top #1, i dove into the dress project.  Same pattern, even cuter material, longer length.  I just finished it today.  I must say, that the second time around with this pattern was even easier.  I really like the way these are turning out.  I can see them in so many fabrics...wool for winter...linen for summer.  This is definitely a GoTo dress/top for me now ::

:: So, I am off to pack for the Big City.  We are taking in a few plays/musicals and spending A Lot of time (and money) in my FAVE place..SoHo!  Camper, Purl Soho, A.P.C., Opening Ceremony, Unis, Jonathan Adler.  I have a list!  Be back next week...hopefully with pics!::

:: happy friday ::

:: Lots more sewing.  the best part about this dress was the crazy price of the fabric...$1 per yard!  I hate trying out new patterns in muslin first.  What if i love how it turns out?  Could i pull off wearing around a muslin dress?  Not likely.  So, this cheap-o, but oh so adorable fabric, allowed me to experiment a bit.  I started out with a pattern, but quickly abandoned it...of course.  I really like the flowiness of the fabric.  I foresee many more of these simple jumpers in my summer wardrobe ::

:: i decided i am not completely sold on how this Built By You (wendy) pattern is shaping up.  I think the neckline  might  need to be a bit lower.  But, for now it's good for wearing to work.  I will experiment with it a bit more.  I like the control i have over the proportions..short skirt with longer sleeves....top with mid-length sleeves...dress with cap sleeves.  it's nice to have an easy pattern that provides such variety.  I tried out some shirting plaid. I want to try it out with a jersey knit.  I wore it around yesterday and it was quite comfy.  comfy is very important ::

:: in snail mail news, i got my first patapri towels yesterday!  i have been eyeballin' these great towels for a long long time.  Yuko was offering up a free towel with all of the different prints for her one year anniversary, so i went ahead and snatch one up!  love it!  the perfect colors and designs to brighten up my kitchen for spring! I hope you have a cheery and warm, springy weekend! ::

:: New Neighbors ::

:: As if our little backyard community wasn't already teaming with enough color from the redbirds and finches.... we just needed to add a little yellow to the mix!  Meet our new neighbors.  They are NOT quiet, but their sweet tweets and twirps are so inviting you will want to open all the windows and snuggle up on the couch with a big furry blanket and just sit and listen to their chatter.  I know that is how i spent Naptime today.  I love this picture of the males all surrounding one female.  I am not very knowledgeable on yellow bird behavior, but they seem to travel in packs, or herds, or gaggles....a group.  They are also moving into the bamboo....right down the stalk from the finches.  What a sweet spring block party we are having ::

:: all of this bird chatter going on outside our windows is wonderful inspiration for all the spring sewing going on around here.  I whipped up another batch of halter dresses and tops for the girls.  They are actually wearing the same size....how convenient is that?  The dresses are a little too long for Paige just yet...but that's just because sammi is sprouting up like a weed!  She is getting so tall::

:: I am so excited to finally  have a pattern that i really enjoy making..over and over again.  A wise women once blogged about the need to have a familiar project, one that you could do over and over again without much thinking..something soothing, familiar, yet in the end productive.  I think i have finally found it with this pattern.  I love that i can make tops or dresses...that they can be worn alone or with undershirts and jeans.  I am excited to watch this pattern fall into winter with different fabrics and combinations of warm layers.  who says you can't wear a halter in the winter!?::

:: So far, my favorite part about sewing for the girls is seeing all of my favorite fabrics that have been stashed away for so long being pranced around the house.  I was just waiting for the perfect reason to chop up all this sweet, colorful cotton.  And, of course, you couldn't get any two cuter reasons! ::

:: A weekend of sewing is good for the soul ::

:: I will confess i have never followed a pattern in my life.  I bought many, tried diligently, but always struck out on my own in frustration over my pathetic lack of the Patternese language.  Finally, i called in the calvary to save me from my own ignorance.  My mother was on hand Saturday to walk me through my first Built by Wendy pattern.  It went off without a hitch and I was so very pleased with myself.  All i could do is run around the house chanting, "I made sleeves, I made sleeves!"  My mom is a wonderful seamstress (she made her sister's wedding dress...back in the day...and all of my bridesmaid's gowns!) and it was so much fun having her walk me through the process; encouraging, correcting, and bantering around words like garment, raglan sleeve, and stay-stitch.  It all felt so Project Runway ::

:: After making three dresses for myself, I rummaged through my stack of As Of Yet Unused Japanese Crafting books. I was pretty sure i bought this book awhile ago and was quite happy to find it on my shelf.  With my New Found Confidence i decided to tackle a little project for Sammi.  This pattern was the main reason i bought the book. It is the sweetest little halter top that will be perfect for summer.  It was super simple and straight forward, and with some help from here, I had it whipped out in no time.  It was a very quick project.  I am pretty sure this is going to become a favorite Nap Time Pastime for mommy::

:: Many more pictures are on my flickr, including more ADORABLE pics of my Pint Sized Model ::

:: Little black dress and yellow blocks dress, all ready for rotation in my spring/summer wardrobe.  I am not usually a color kinda gal, i tend towards blacks, browns, grays, etc.  So, I am not sure how often the yellow one will be peaking out of the closet, but it was the first one i made, so she is very dear to me.  I even broke out the lino blocks to add a little Lotta Inspired Kick ::

:: Sewing makes this momma very happy ::

:: Shirt Dress ::

:: New shirt dress made from a flowy, gauzy, curtain panel and lined with white linen from a thrifted napkin.  Straps are cotton twill tape that i block-printed.  The gray jersey cotton at the top is a thrifted pillow case.  Raw seems, exposed stitches, and a bit of deconstruction makes me happy ::

:: The only drawback to not using a pattern is the squirminess of the manikin ::

:: and just forget about having a proper model to show off your handiwork! ::

:: my sewing machine is happy with all of the attention ::

:: The Crafty Collective Unconscious ::

:: First off, I want to extend a big ol' Thank You to everyone who has stumbled upon my little blog lately and ventured out from behind the keyboard to say HI.  Welcome!  I love meeting new friends and sharing this little corner of The Handmade Abyss that has taken over the internet! I love where Crafting is headed and I think so many people are reaping the benefits of hand~crafted, unique, and individual products! ::

:: A little peek at what has driven some of my recent work.  The two fabrics on the left have been sitting, neatly folded, just oozing inspiration at me for weeks!  The top fabric was accidentally found while searching Hi and Low for the bottom fabric.  I first laid eyes on the white alphabet fabric when it was used in Mary Grace that I bought from Blair.  I immediately went on the hunt, which is my usual obsessive practice when i find a Must Have Fabric!  if you remember correctly, I bought Mary Grace years ago, so you can tell how long this hunt has been on! In the meantime, i suppressed for my Alphabet Jones by purchasing one of One Good Bumblebee's sweet mouse pads, which is used and gazed upon happily every day.  Then, I finally got serious about the Infamous Fabric Hunt and within a week i had my grubby little hands on 4 whole yards of the Coveted Stuff!  Oh the joys of receiving THAT package in the mail!::

:: My work table is overflowing and needs to be cleared for some house guests coming in this weekend!  These have been sitting around for over a week, waiting patiently to be posted in the shop.  Yep, more alphabets!  While I have been Alphabet Obsessed and working hard, here are a few other Sweet Things that have popped up around the Web.  If you are Looking For Letters, there is no shortage! ::

:: One Good Bumblebee ::

:: Pink Loves Brown ::

:: Shim + Sons ::

:: Paper Farrago ::

:: Cotton Cupcakes ::

:: Quiet Doing ::

:: Strawhouse Books ::

:: Debivanzyl ::

:: Happy Weekend and look for a little shop update when the October Dust settles!::

::Take the Pledge!::

:: New Series of Flats ::

:: I am so excited to finally reveal my latest creation!  I have been pondering, designing, ordering supplies, printing, printing, and REprinting to create a series of Stationary Flats aptly named teach me.  Being a teacher myself, and having a lot of teacher friends, i wanted to create a line of stationary that hearkened back to those early days of learning to write.  I can vividly remember learning cursive in a Catholic school, standing at the chalkboard, diligently practicing my Uppercase S over and over and over.   Those Catholics can write some cursive!  I loved everything about learning cursive writing.  It seemed so romantic and swirly and it sang with motion and movement.  I could swing my pencil all day in loop~d~loops and arches! ::

:: My teacher was a nun...a nice one...she was young and full of energy.  She was so encouraging and she praised us for our efforts.  There was something in all those little details of cursive writing that intrigued me and drew me in.  I worked hard on the perfect lower case r with it's tricky little stick followed by the downward slope and a quick upward turn.  Don't even get me started on that Uppercase S, Q, and Z!  Oh, how i loved them!::

:: This first set in this series features the colors "Chalkboard Gray" and "Teacher Red".  You know all about Teacher Red.  That infamously cruel color that cuts through your hard work leaving a bloody trail of destruction!  These 101 Flats feature a printed version text on a sweetly lined page.  Oh the joys of Staying Between The Lines! ::

::Each set contains 10 cards (5 Chalkboard Gray and 5 Teacher Red).  The matching envelopes are designed very sweetly with a rounded flap.  The premium card stock is white and nice and heavy.  But, none of this was enough!  I just HAD to create the Perfect Touch!  The sets include 10 FREE matching stickers that you can use to seal the envelopes closed!  Too Sweet! ::

:: I am very excited to finally be able to introduce you to all my hard work!  I have enjoyed the entire process of design, supply~shopping, and package~making.  Now...on to teach me flats 102! ::

:: Ready to go in the Shop! ::

:: Sugar Substitute :: FREE download ::

:: As a Sweet Substitute to all of the sugary treats being passed out this Halloween, i decided to whip up a little Non~Cavity~Inducing alternative.  These Spooky Goody Bags are so simple to make and the kids are sure to love them!  There are stickers galore, little gift tags, and a handy, mini notebook ::

::Once you download the artwork (see below) you can decide how to use it!  I printed the BOO! graphic onto a full page label and then just used my big, round punches to make the circle stickers.  I ran the Exacto Knife lightly over the back of the stickers to make them easy to pull apart. ( hint:: when printing the BOO! graphic, make sure you give it plenty of time to dry...lots of black=lots of smudges!) Then i printed the Happy Halloween graphic onto white card stock.  I used my gift tag punch to make the tags.  I used some scrap paper to whip up a little notebook.  After i made the notebook, I found this wonderful tutorial.  It's basically how i did it, minus the laminating.  The jack-o-lanterns are from a Martha Stewart pumpkin punch i found at a local craft store.  I just punched them from orange cardstock and doodled on the faces.  I left two blank for future kid doodles.  The other orange pumpkins are actually felt stickers!  I found a standard page~sized piece of sticker felt at the craft store and punched with the same Martha Stewart punch::

:: You can do so many things with the graphics and artwork!  The possibilities are endless!  Also, if you are in a hurry, you can always just make one of these ideas and put them in little zip-lock bags!  Kids love this kind of stuff, so you'll be a big Sugar~Free Hit this Halloween!::

:: click the graphic or here for your FREE download of the BOO! artwork in pdf file! ::

:: click the graphic or here for your FREE download for the Happy Halloween artwork in pdf file!::

:: Happy Halloweening all my crafty friends!::