Merry Christmas from Whale and Sailor Boy

We wish you a merry Christmas, 

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year! 

Gulp the Whale and Sailor Boy! They finally exist after a year of stewing around in my head. They will be off on adventures with my best friend's baby very soon! So happy they turned out so cute!

Eliana Love

The burgundy came first. It was a mystery fabric with great drape yet weight. I think it's slowly shrinking in the wash.

Next came the silk sari with vintage mother of pearl buttons.

Finally the lavender wool for my friend. When she tried my burgundy dress on this summer she promptly turned to me and said, "My birthday is March 12th." Over Thanksgiving break, she came and we chose fabric and zipped it up so she could take it to her college Christmas party.

POCKETS!!! The cause of much squealing when they were discovered. 

I won this pattern in a giveaway from Busy Lizzy and it has quickly become an absolute favorite. I've worn my burgundy dress tons!

Pattern Changes

• I can't remember what size I made but I'm 5' 10" and I added about six inches to the skirt. For the silk I added about an inch to the top pieces so it would be more blousey. 
• Did a facing for the front opening instead of the ties. 
• If you remove the ties buttons and loops work better than a hook and eye. Personal experience speaking. :)

My friend and I love our dresses and they are seeing much wear. Thanks to Pauline Alice for drafting a great little dress pattern and Lizzy for letting me win a copy! I'm sold.

Christmas Making

Grab a cuppa' and sit down for a breath.

Well Stashbusters,
Sounds like our Christmas plans are coming right along. If you are a Facebook user make sure to join our group and share in the encouragement and enabling. (psst... we will be doing it again next year)

Awhile ago I got sick of looking AT my pinterest and decided to actually make something! First I used up some strips for these little braided mug rugs... Not sure where these are going.

Then these cute round coasters were tantalizing me so I whipped some up in a weekend. This used up some of my scraps and more importantly a scrap of batting that I'd been hoarding for just such a reason. I was super tickled with my achievements!

The square ones were supposed to be round but the personalized "L" scrapped that idea.
Sewing, the ever evolving art.

As I was energized and ready to go on the next gifts on my list, I got a surprise email saying I made it into the big Christmas MADE Fair that was only three weeks away! What a surprise! I broke out the pliers and my button jars and made up some cute button earrings. (not that you can see the dent in my stash)...

Is it silly how happy I am to have a "butterfly" in Millefiori beads and Mother of Pearl buttons? 

I also made some Tiny Worlds that help grow big imaginations. This put another small dent in my scrap box and used up some of that weird yarn I couldn't get rid of either. It's those odd things that are so satisfying to use.

Ending the random craft supply usage spree was me further ruining some already damaged linens by making some beautiful glass pendants showcasing the lace and embroidery from years gone by.

Sorry for the sad ironing board photo but it was that or nothing!

It may not be a lot, but it is something... I really enjoyed giving new life to the buttons and the linens that could never be used again.

I've got a couple other big projects planned as soon as I go on Christmas break. How about you? Are you in the middle of Christmas Making Mayhem? Or are you waiting for the actual break? Will you get a break with time for sewing or be busy with family and friends?
Whatever you do keep up the good work! Our year is almost over!

Stashbusting Sewalong: Christmas Mayhem!

Merry Christmas Fellow Stashbusters!

As you can see the fabric elves have been busy and it's time we got to work and showed them who's boss! Our theme for the final month of the year is "Christmas Mayhem!"

It's time to make gifts for others and ourselves! It's time to make all those random Christmas and holiday decorations we've been pondering. It's time to sew up the last of the stash for 2015!!!!

Can you believe it?? I don't know where this year has gone. It's been one of huge change for me and I only see more coming. I do hope it includes more sewing though! I'm working on stuff for a craft fair I'm in and once that is over I'm hitting the shelves to make up goodies I've been dreaming of for awhile!

How about you? Are you ready for this holiday season? I may not be Santa but tell me what you want to sew...

Return From The Dead! A Year of Musings

Fair warning, this post is probably going to be as messy as my new sewing setup. But I miss you all so here I go. No more procrastinating!

Why haven't you heard from me?
Well, we moved into our mostly remodeled house and I left for summer camp for three wonderful months then I came home and immediately went to work as a speech therapist paraprofessional which is as fulfilling as it is mentally draining.

Have I gotten to sew in all this?
Well I finally got a sewing station set up and have rediscovered most of my sewing supplies. I've made a couple of SPECTACULAR pieces that I can't wait to share with you. I've also won some pretty amazing sewing swag and tested some super cool patterns and I really want to share with you all.
I haven't figured out where to take photos yet which has been part of my procrastination in beginning to blog again.

I've taken this impromptu blogging hiatus to evaluate what I want from my blog and life and all that big stuff!

• I have a sewing related business and I want to promote it on here in a non spammy way... How exactly I haven't figured out yet... I mostly know how I don't want it to look. :) But I do run across great vintage stuff and I know some of my sewing bloggy friends would love it too! I love Sanae's blog and how she is trying to make a go of this entrepreneurial thing! I'm so jealous of her Furoku  Membership! What a fabulous idea! We are different styles but I love her moving writing and maybe because we are so different she is so refreshing to me. I'd like to be as genuine as her. 

• Tying into that, I want to write more thoughtful pieces. I want to finish Aria's story and maybe a couple more I have percolating. The art of sewing should be celebrated and girls should have girl adventures where they win as girls not as girls acting like boys. (I hope that makes sense..)

• I've got so much cool stuff I want to share. There's nothing like the happy sewing community squeeing over a fabulous finished make together. I've also won so many cool giveaways and I need to thank the givers and pass on this loveliness! 

I think what this boils down to is setting myself the goal of posting once a week. Then using my time wisely making stuff and writing all these stories. 

What have blogging breaks taught you? What's been happening in this sewing world that I've missed out on? 

How To Tantalize Your Blog Readership....

Wonders of wonders, a finished dress!

Hello My Sewing Bloggy Friends!
Long time no see! This renovating a house, while setting up a brick and mortar shop, while working two fill in jobs cramps the sewing, photographing, blogging thing. I've missed you! How's it going out there in sewing land?
Once I get a space set up for photography you'll have to hold on to your blogreaders as I catch up on my finished makes... Until then here's a sneak peek of what I've been up to in the sewing arena. I'll spare you all the house remodel photos and stories!

Sweater that pilled as soon as I wore it.

A secret pattern test I did that got me back into
sewing.

Oh look! Another finished piece! 

Today's labors. Fabric goodies in the shop.

Aren't these the cutest labels! They're from
Patchworkposse.com

So what's been happening with you? What keeps you from diving into that never-ending, full of possibilities sewing list?

Button Love!

One weekend in February I visited with a friend and we decided to have an earring making party. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed creating socially until we sat down together. Never underestimate the joy and productivity that can come when you gather together with other creatives. It doesn’t have to be complicated or the house clean, just clear off a table and create something. You’ll be surprised at the refreshment it brings. 

I wish you could see the iridescence
and delicacy of these Mother of Pearl
buttons.

These are so fun! The buttons are
poofy red things that just
make you happy!

I was also surprised at how elegant buttons can look. I mean, I love buttons and think sewing should be incorporated into as many areas of our lives as possible, but I wasn’t expecting them to look so classy! 

I love them so much and have set them up in a cute little display in our shop. I’m thinking about listing them on Etsy too but they are mostly one of a kind pieces and Etsy is full of jewelry so I’m dithering. 

My little velvet display frames!

To also add to the excitement they are vintage buttons getting new life! And no buttons were harmed in the making so when the zombie apocalypse comes you'll be able to repurpose your earrings and hold your clothes shut in style!

Yes, those half moons are beautiful shank buttons that I mounted without harm to them!

What do you think about button jewelry? Would you wear them?