New Solid Voiles

Here are the voiles I was referring too...

Blush

Cornflower

Black

Kiwi
 

Seafoam

Tangerine

Spring Palette

I know that it's not quite February yet, but I'm ready to start sewing for Spring. I am head over heals for the Alice + Olivia Spring collection. The colors, styles, prints...everything is working for me. Luckily we just got a new shipment of gorgeous solid voiles in colors similar to this line. It's time to get sewing!

Sunday Sewin'

Yesterday was an official lazy Sunday. I spent most of my day in pajamas. In fact, except for one hour when J and I went around the neighborhood trying to find Gumdrop's owner, I didn't have a proper pair of pants on all day. I stuck with all fleece all the time.

But that is OK, because I accomplished things! I cleaned (much needed) I tried to get cats to like each other (failed) I did computer work (ugh) and I started and finished a whole project. (hooray!) Yes, inspired by one of my students I went to work on this lap duvet tutorial found over on Purl Bee. Although, I think of a duvet really as a slipcover, so I'm going to consider it more of an eiderdown. Which is more fun to say, anyway.

So, this eiderdown was made for my nephew. I've been meaning to make him a proper quilt, but of course never have. I love this blanket, it's fluffy and soft and a really good size for full-body kids, or adult laps. I used this Amy Butler Chinese Lanterns fabric that I bought at Harper's. You may be able to find it at our store soon though, as E promptly fell in love with it. Especially when I paired it with this Lotta Jansdotter Ruta fabric.

Chinese Lanterns getting pressed.

Getting to use my walking foot!

I used an old navy/white dot IKEA fabric for a whale of an applique on the front. Then I blanket-stitched around it.

Front and Back. These fabrics are perfect for each other!

Now that is a cushy blanket. 

I've got another blanket up my sleeve--this one for me! I had hoped to finish it yesterday as well, but the day got away from me. It's going to be pretty though, I can't wait to show it to you..

Heather Ross Fall New York workshop

Oooh, I want to go! Maybe if I'm really good...

Ricardo Legorrata

I ran across the tribute to mexican architect Ricardo Legorrata the other day on Architectural Digest. What an eye opener it was. Look at these few examples..his use of color and light really blows me away.

Bonnets!

There seem to be a lot of babies out and about these days. Well, so far, not many are actually out..but definitely about. So, when I saw the new Storybook Woods baby bonnet pattern by Alicia Paulson, I had to have it.

I wanted to use some of the fabrics that we have even though the prints don't really lend themselves to embroidery. For the first one I used our new Anna Maria Horner In the Clearing velveteen and a some grape shot cotton. For the boy hat I used some vintage flannel and Eleanor Grosch Lions.

Who new that pressing hams would be such good bonnet models?

Queen of pastels

Speaking of pastel suits, do you know who has rocked the pastels for decades? The Queen of England. I have never seen so many pastel suits on one person, but by gum she always looks great in them.

Spring pastels

I love this parfait of an ad campaign for Louis Vuitton.

It really makes me want to track down some pastel tweeds or light wools for some early spring ensembles. I'm always ready for full on Spring colors by March, however, the weather in KC isn't ready until almost June. This might be my answer. I was able to find a couple of options for a sunny spring coat. Over on Denverfabrics.com there are some lovely boucles and gabardines. I'm going to run down to Kaplan's as well..they always have lovely things.

Gumdrop in the house, yo.

You may recall a couple weeks ago I posted about a house cat that we found and named Gumdrop. Obviously an indoor cat, Gumdrop showed up on our porch and made a home on our glider. Since we are crazy cat people we of course fed him and made a shelter for him, all the while hoping to be able to adopt him out, or better yet, find his owner.

Well, Friday night, after a trip to the vet to make sure all was well with Gumdrop, J caved. He decided that while we wait to find him a home, or his owner (we put out 150 fliers this weekend! door to door!) that Gumdrop should stay inside. Which is all well and good, but try explaining that to Marla our cat. I had, in my heart of hearts, hoped it would turn out like this...

But instead, Marla was like this:

For the time being Gumdrop has been barricaded to two rooms of the house, but eventually we will have to let him wander. Unless, fingers crossed, our fliers work and he can be reunited with his owner. Or, of course, if one of you are feeling the need for a new cat!

Brussels' flower carpet

So, Brussels has just sprung to the top of my "must see" list. See the picture above? That is the parking lot in front of the Grand-Place and it is covered in a carpet. Made of flowers. Let me repeat that, MADE OF FLOWERS. Begonias to be precise.

E. Stautemans was landscape architect who started experimenting with flower carpets in the 1950's. He realized that the carpets would be an excellent vehicle to show off his favorite flower, the begonia. In 1971 he designed his first carpet for Brussels. There have been many since. (See them all here)

The 2012 carpet will be unveiled August 14th. I won't make it this year, but someday I would love to see it.

Mmm. yarn.

I may have forgotten to mention that we got new shipments from both Pigeon Roof Studios and Cascade. It's awfully nice, you should come see it.