New books, new projects!

Happy Monday! I've been having sooo much fun reading my new books by amazing designers. Simple Sewing for Baby by Lotta Jansdotter, Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross and Alabama Stitch Book by Natalie Chanin. They are inspiring, have projects that are practical and not horribly time consuming, and I am learning some new techniques. I can't remember the last time I bought books with patterns and projects with such good instructions. I am so happy with them!
So far I have made one dress from Ross's book and a bib using a pattern from Jansdotter's book. Here's Margot's dress, the Smocked Sundress from a Heather Ross patter. (Thanks to Mom for buying this awesome fabric from G Street Fabrics in Bethesda! FLOWER POWER!) I've never done smocking before, and am amazed at how easy it was. This instructions said to measure an inch below the knee and hem it there, but as I was trying it on Margot for width I knew I wanted to keep it long and flowing for my little flower child. Started it yesterday, finished it today. Maybe only two hours or so to make!

And here is the design by Lotta Jansdotter for a bib. I wanted to do something a little different what she instructed, but I liked the shape she provided. She had one piece of fabric hemmed with a pocket. I like a poofier look so I used some fusible fleece between two pieces, and skipped the pocket. (Who wants to go fishing old food out of a pocket?)
This is also fabric Mom picked up for us at G Street! The reverse side of this bib coordinates and it really just as pretty as the front. Oh, also, I think it's a little huge. I think I'll trim the pattern down a little.

I am really in love with this house button.

I was also inspired by Lotta to do some printing this weekend. I used easycarve blocks and went to work Sunday morning. But Sunday afternoon this is what I had:
Ray likes it. That makes me happy.

Summer dresses

They just make me happy. And I keep finding little things to do to change to pattern or embellish them, so I'm still having fun.

Matchy matchy

Maybe a little over the top. But pretty darn adorable.

Love for the rick rick

Oh it's been so long since I've had time to work on any sewing projects! Was so happy to put the little one in her little dress and matching hairclips. I will not be a good etsy seller. I just want to keep everything I make for Margot!

Tow-maters

If you're wondering what I'm having for dinner, this is it. I'll be a little sad to cut into them.

Decorating

I've been inspired by a friends blog to post more decorating pictures.
Chandalier. Stock. Hated it when we moved in, it was covered with fake dusty grapevines. Ewwwwww. But new black shades help a little. And the Mardi Gras beads we put up for the Crawfish Boil help too... the might stay up. But I'm dying to take the whole chandalier down, chain and all, and spraypaint it red!
Throw up a few plates from Anthropology, and a lovely little etagere, and you've got yourself a corner. Still working on getting the basketry right. The trick is to stock the shelves with non-breakable, baby friendly and pretty all in one. So baskets filled with table linens and napkins it is. For now. It's coming along.
And here's the newest decor in the dining room. The artist on either side of the miror is Martin Laborde. He's based in New Orleans and the character he paints is Bodo. He's been my favorite since 1996. Well, and of course the Blue Dog has a special place in my heart too. On the sideboard is a terrarium made for me by my wonderful husband (with a Dunny in it), a New Orleans snowglobe and some party blowers in a hurricane glass.

Moving on to the library. How I love symmetry!! This miror was my Grandparents, though my Grandma has no memory of it. My Dad rescued it from their house in the Catskills! It's a good score. I made the curtains. The pattern is old architecture! Hopefully within the next few weekends we'll make some cornices.
And this is my beloved bookshelf, flanked on either side by Jazz Fest posters. The Professor chair little leather table (from West Elm) is great comfy nook for blogging.

And also in the library, my favorite antique bench, and more Jazz Fest posters. Hopefully this is where a piano will go someday!

And because I like him so much, here's our terracotta warrior in the foyer.

What I've been up to

Nap times have gotten shorter in the past few weeks, so I'm just not getting as much time to play as I was. Booo. But here's a zig zag quilt I started based on Anna Maria Horner's design but with Amy Butler fabric. I love the blue and orangey-pink. And the Missoni-esque design.

I also made this super cute peachy pinnie. I am kind of obsessed with rick-rack. It's going on everything. As you can see on the rest of my wall of unfinished business.
And here's a little house project Ray and I put together. Fleur de lis makes me happy. But it's probably time to cool it! I love my house, but it's not old and I love the character of old houses. This makes me love our house a little more.

Weekend Quiz

What am I?

Let's Play!

I brought the best little treasure back from VA! It's a coverlet that my Grandma sewed for mom's crib blanky. I LOVE IT. Look at that fabric!

So of course I was sooo happy to run across something similar this week and snatched it up for a dress!

The fabric for the next dress (which I put together last night) does not look like something I would pick! I obviously love vintage/retro designs and also flowery, girly and modern geometric designs. You may want to avert your eyes if you are offended by childish, bright over-worked patterns! Still, there's something about it I really like...


There's ruffle on the back too... tah dah!

I think I'll be spending a lot of time in the accessory aisle pretty soon. I am newly obsessed with this ruffle. Mmmmm ruffles.
These are based on a McCall's pattern that I have no idea when I bought. I usually wait until they go on sale for $1 each and find one thing I like in the book, then run through the drawer and pick out 10 things that look like they might get used. As far as I'm concerned, patterns are good for ideas and nothing else. Anyway, I'm happy to do things my own way.
Next up, some denim bloomers to go under the play smocks.
And coming up before too long... a Sucre & Spice store on Etsy! (I'm giving in to the pressure.)

Crawfish

This weekend was our 4th annual crawfish boil, and I had lots of things to prepare for it. I was upset and delighted at the same time that I was unable to find any cool invitations to a crawfish boil online. What? So, of course, I made some. I do love to silkscreen.

Then there was Margot's outfit to consider. I thought a good Southern Girl (which she unquestionably is, though she was born in St. Louis) would wear her finest seersucker. So here's what Margot wore:


Then there were the bibs, since friends from Nashville said they would only come if they could wear matching lobster bibs. So not only did they have the matching bibs, they had matching monogrammed bibs.


What's next on my list? Hmmm I think I'll finish a few little projects. It's sew rewarding to sew the last two buttons or last seam on a project that's been sitting for weeks or longer! Sometimes I save those up so I can feel productive :)

Snacks in felt

I kind of forgot about these little snacks I made for Nash, but found them this afternoon when I was folding up the packnplay to take on vacation. Look which bowl he likes better! Hmmm maybe I'll make him some felt broccoli....