An afternoon with Laura

Two years ago I met Laura. That is, in real life. For a couple years prior to that we "met" on Sense and Sensibility's online sewing forum, and we both read each other's blogs. But it was alot fun to actually meet her (and also her husband, Douglas, though at the time, her fiance) in person at Starbucks and Denver Fabrics a couple years ago.

And this afternoon I had the pleasure of seeing her again. We had to make our visit short due to a dinner engagement that my sister and I were apart of, but we made the most of it by going antique shopping. I think if Laura and I lived closer, we'd be pretty good friends as we have alot of similar interests. =) I was also glad to have met her adorable young chap of 7 months, Edmund.

If you don't already read Laura's blog, it is a delightful one to follow that full of beautiful things and thoughts. Might as well visit her sewing gallery, too. Talk about inspiration!

Thankyou, Laura, for a fun but short afternoon! =)

Frippery or not!

Frippery: something trivial or nonessential

Sorry to have burst someones bubble out there, but aprons are not frippery! They are indeed very useful. While most would wear aprons in the kitchen or out in the gardens, they are ever so useful while cleaning, or painting.

(My sister wearing a Ginnie apron when painting the sewing room last month)

What a delight it was to find out that Shannon was putting together her own lovely apron design into an e-pattern for apron-savy peope like me who can download a file, print, tape, and wala! a pattern! Imagine my thrill when she was hosting a giveaway for one of these patterns, and I won it. My version of it is in my etsy shop; now that I have the real macoy. =)

While I'm in the mode of sharing links this afternoon, I was blog hopping the other day and found this clever idea of repurposing T-shirts.

A Look at the 1850s

No matter how hard I try not to, I just can't escape from the facination of historical fashion. Whether it's the Regency era or the 1930's, there is always something that intrigues me. Wouldn't it be fun if everbody, just for one day even, would dress up in the clothes from the past?

Having recently watched "Bleak House," I find myself falling in love again with 1850's fashion. I just about swooned when I saw this stunning gown up for sale on ebay.

Home!

Yes! I am home! =) After being gone for 3 1/2 weeks, it was a delight to step onto "home soil" this afternoon! Stay tuned for perhaps a few pictures (if anyone is interested) and some news that will definately change my life for awhile, as an avid seamstress.

In the meantime, LAF recently published an article I submitted quite awhile ago, and while I don't have the gift of writing, every now and then I get inspiration to write something. =) So if you have time, feel free to take a look at some scribbled notes to fellow single young women that I probably wrote close to 2 years ago.

Links

For all of you who like to sew their own skirts, you all should take a look at Shannon's new skirt that was inspired from another skirt! Talk about WOW! =) I tried out the bias ruffles on a blouse recently, and it really does work, so I'd like to try this technique again soon. Maybe on a brown linen skirt like this one? Hehe, yes, I'm hooked on linen right now. =)

This evening I decided not to do any sewing, but list a Regency dress up on ebay that I have taken my sweet time to do. I have another one to list, and the navy linen robe too, but they'll have to wait until later this week.

They are now released!!!

Though this has nothing to do with sewing projects, it is a project that we are excited about! Erin's second harp recording is now available for ordering. The CD's are on the way to the house, and we all are anticipating the UPS driver to drop off 1,000 CD's next week. =)

If any of you are interested, she has more info on her website for this new recording, as well as a sound clip that was JUST put up there as of a minute ago ... it's one of my favorites too. =)

Little goodies

It is completely ridiculous how much I have sewed this past month. Yes, I am tallying up everything and the number is staggering. =P =) I have some projects on my table, but rather than boring you all with details of those now, I thought that perhaps I'd give you a few links to check out this week!

• The first one is a tutorial on how you can make your own teired skirt! I can hardly wait to make one up for myself out of some stashed fabric. =) Click here to see Shannon's post! Knowing Shannon through the S&S sewing board, she sews up lots of lovely things, so be sure to take a minute or two to see her other sewing projects, also.
• Feel like making paper crafts? Check out these cute paper topiarys that can be made using all sorts of colored paper, but I must say that I love the Valentines colors!
• I found a couple patterns up on ebay that I already have, but that some of you might enjoy!

...the "necktie" apron here

...the "bungalow" apron here

...a bed jacket pattern here (by the way, I have a jacket listed that was made from this pattern)

It has been quiet in the sewing room

In the past several days, the machines haven't been touched much (please don't faint, ok?). =) I guess I've been busy either helping out here at home, teaching violin, tatting, and other small things that have employed my time

I was inspired by Anna's blog though of her step-by-step directions on how to make pillow cases. (...I confess that I have been lazy these days and have only sewn when I have a pattern/guidelines to go by instead of being brave enough to draft my own.) But do take a look at these vintage-inspired pillow cases ... you just might get in the mood to pull out your fabric scraps to make some!

However in other news, I took the plunge and edited all the prices on our website for the going-out-of-business sale, and the prices will continue to be reduced until we sell everything.

Dressing femininely

I came across a blog this evening and read this wonderful entry on dressing femininely and wanted to share it:

http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2007/07/reasons-for-feminine-dress.html