Falling Leaves

Today is so perfect weather-wise, that I wish I could have a day like this for 6 months.

Sunny, 70 degrees, with a suggestion of a breeze.

We were in town today, and I finally remembered to bring my camera.

So we went to the park and looked at the lovely foliage...

Lavender/taupe spiral scarf

This is another of those lovely spiral scarves (pattern from fuzzygalore.com) that I crocheted using a ball of yarn from sow-a-seed in Walnut, IA.

Shoes, glorious shoes

I love this shade of pink...

Lavender+polka dots+peep toes+bows= so cute

This week I have been rummaging through summer closeout shoes and have thus far hauled home a dozen pairs. Some of these are for altering (glittering, adding ribbon, painting, beading, adding flowers etc.) and will probably make further appearances on my blog...

Thanks Alex

I got a get-well package today with excessively cute chocolate miniatures.

The oreo cookies are a favorite. :)

Blueberry Yogurt Smoothie

Blueberry Yogurt Smoothie

Combine in blender:
1 c. frozen blueberries
½ c. whole milk
1/2 c. plain yogurt
½ t. vanilla
1 T. honey

Puree till smooth.
Serves 2.

Red and white lamp

Another of my lamp make-overs, I found it in my flea marketing for $2.00, plus the cost of the replacement cord (2.50?).

This lamp changes as you turn it on...

Lotta Prints

Another treat through the mail, this book has directions and projects for printing on paper, walls and textiles etc. using lino blocks, rubber stamps, stenciling and potato stamps etc. it's just chock full of practical information. I can't wait to print some of my own textiles.

Cranberry Raspberry Yogurt Smoothie

Cranberry Raspberry Yogurt Smoothie

Combine in blender:
½ c. frozen raspberries
½ c. whole milk
½ c. cranberry juice
1 c. plain yogurt
½ t. vanilla
1 T. honey

Puree till smooth.

Serves 2.

Cinema Beret

A pattern I drafted and sewed up last night. I tried to get it onto an Adobe doc. to load onto burdastyle without any success, oh well. Instructions for making a beret can be found on www.fmfcorp.com/familyspot/haircover.html and vintagesewing.info.

Parmesan and tomato ‘stracciatella’ Soup

Parmesan and tomato ‘stracciatella’ Soup

This was what I made for my lunch today, this recipe can be doubled etc. to serve multiple people.

Bring to a simmer:
1 c. chicken broth or stock
1 tomato, diced

Off heat, Add:
1 beaten egg
¼ c. grated parmesan cheese

Season with salt, black pepper and a dash of pepper flakes.
Serve with crumbled parm.

Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie

Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie

Combine in blender:
1 c. plain yogurt
8 frozen whole strawberries
1/2 c. whole milk
1 T. honey
½ t. pure vanilla extract
Dash salt.

Puree until smooth.
Serves one.

Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

Combine in blender:
1 ripe banana
1 T. creamy peanut butter
2/3 c. whole milk
Dash salt.

Puree until smooth.
Serves one.

Honeyed cherry lemonade

Honeyed cherry lemonade

Combine in blender:
¼ c. lemon juice
1 T. honey
1/3 frozen dark sweet cherries
½ c. water

Puree until smooth. Serves one.

Black hat with gathered velvet band

This is a woven hat that I made over by draping some velvet across the top of the crown and stitching a gathered band of the same material around the sides of the crown.

Brown woven JJ Blouse

My first of this pattern from Burdastyle which has swiftly become a favorite. It's made of some sort of linen or linen type fabric (I'm not sure) and is fastened down the front with black hook and eye closures.

Black velvet dress

A dress I made from 2 skirts and a poorly fitting jacket. The bodice is my own pattern. The skirt is just gathered and attached.

Laura Dress

Here it is: my alteration of the laura dress pattern for the burdastyle (Nikki Shell's) sew-a-long this fall. I filled in the collar line on the back and the front, omitted the pockets, waistband and buttons. I also added a ruffle onto the bodice front that looks rather like an off kilter bow.

Teal Skirt

This is a skirt I made using the same pattern as the silver one. I applied some tiny rick rack along the bottom hem.

Black and White ruffled Anda Dress

This is from a sew-a-long that I did this Summer on Burdastyle using the Anda pattern.

Ruches blouse

This is an easy project. I took about 3/4 yd. silky fabric, created a casing at the top seams, and threaded ribbon through to create drawstrings/bows. Then I sewed the side seams, and did a rolled hem at the waist and arm holes. I made the skirt using my basic A-line pattern.