New Denim

I was almost out of my stash of denim, so it was time to restock. I also treated myself to some Gutterman thread, which I am excited to try. And of course I had to get some hook and eye closures for some upcoming sewing projects. I can't tell you how good it was to be back in the mainland where I could shop at Jo-ann's!

Paper Swap

I joined a "Found" paper swap back in July, it was organized by one of the participants in Elise Blaha's Get Crafty workshop. These are just a few of the fabulous items I got. Don't you love the banana bag? And those bird stickers remind me of Martha Stewart. And I love the Japanese papers at the bottom- they have great texture.

The Get Crafty workshop was really great, I have lots of good ideas for future projects. Elise has another workshop coming up, this one is only $15 and lasts 4 weeks. You should check it out.

Hey, isn't that.....

I've been trying to streamline my magazine collection, so I've been cutting up my old Martha Stewart Weddings and Living magazines and saving only the best articles in a binder. I found the above picture in an old Weddings ad, and thought it was really funny to see an old vintage Singer Featherweight used in the background.
In the end I don't think my streamlining project will save any space, I've narrowed down the Weddings into 2 BIG binders, and I'm tackling the Livings today.

Summer Afternoon, Summer Afternoon

I've been having a lovely summer, just haven't had much time for crafting or posting, for many reasons. I'm looking for a new job, planning to move in the next year, and I spent a two week vacation at home in the states (see below!).

But now, I'm shifting into DIY Wedding planning mode because we'll be having a church wedding in the Spring (we were married by a justice of the peace last year).

Lately I've been perusing these sites for inspiration:
100 Layer Cake
Once Wed (I love the Inspiration Galleries)
Vintage Glam
The Wedding Chicks
Something Old, Something New(I have to include an RI blogger!)

Have I missed any good wedding sites (I mostly like just scanning photos!)?



Hopefully I'll be able to post more regularly now!

Retro Shift or MuuMuu?

I finished another project from Chic & Simple Sewing. This dress wasn't quite as easy as the skirts. I couldn't understand the instructions for attaching the neckband, and this is my second try, which looked much better than the first. I omitted the top stitching on the neckband, because there wasn't any on the photo in the book, and it didn't look good on my first attempt. I did make my own bias tape, and am happy to have learned how to use it around the arm holes, very easy.

I think I could wear this as a beach coverup, but honestly it doesn't look as cute on me as it does on the dress form, and nowhere near as cute as it does on the model in the book. It kind of looks like a muumuu when I wear it. Too bad, because I really like the fabric.

There's a great flickr group of projects from the book.