I really thought I’d have a sewing project to share (I’m making another Built by Wendy #3835 dress, this time with the sleeve ties!) but I simply don’t have time to finish it before Christmas, what with all the last minute gift-wrapping and pie-making going on.  So, I’m just here to wish you all a joyous and safe holiday with your loved ones.

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season so far!  I haven’t been a very good blogger lately and posting has been sporadic the last month or two, even for me.  In a nutshell life has been unusually hectic except for this week which has been gloriously slow-paced; I no longer feel like I’m constantly on the verge of having an anxiety attack.  I’ve also been considering re-thinking my blog, its purpose, etc., and haven’t had a lot to say or was feeling too lazy to write, snap photos and the like.   (I’m still in this mode actually.  These photos were taken with my phone and I didn’t even bother to open Photoshop to edit them, ha.)

Anyway, I hosted Thanksgiving for my parents which was nice especially now that we’ve got a real grown-up table, perfectly rustic and charming.  Out came Grandma and Granpa’s wedding china, their Wedgewood candlesticks (that you can see are still there because they look so festive), and a big leafy bowl to show off persimmons from Mom’s garden (she said she left the stems on because she knows I like that sort of thing).

Now it’s onto Christmas.  I HAD to share this darling old-time kitty that came in a set I bought on Etsy.  Isn’t it sweet?  I favorited another item from this shop months ago but at the time I thought it was actually vintage, I had no idea there was such a wonderful variety of these newly crafted ornaments until I spotted them on the Design is Mine blog.

Do you have any plans for this weekend?  For one thing I am NOT working!  I have to say I’m looking forward to catching up on some sewing.

Sarah Sophie Flicker for Stylelikeu.com from StyleLikeU on Vimeo (via Helmi Otsalla).

I finished a scarflette.  Don’t you love the color?

If you follow along on Facebook you probably know that I got a treadle sewing machine.  Singer model 115, 1921.  Bought it from the original owner (I even have the old, hand-written receipt).   Wonderful condition.  I scrubbed down the parlor cabinet which is why I took the head (machine) out and left it on the built-in in the breakfast nook.  Looks nice there though.  Check out the mermaid details.  Now I just need to learn how to use it.

I’m onto making a cardigan.   My carpal tunnel and tendonitis issues have not really gotten in the way of my knitting, even though I’ve been working up a storm (on the computer).  I’m not going to question it, just accept it and be grateful.  I mean, look how far along I am!  I’m changing up the pattern a bit: 2×2 rib instead of cables, half or 3/4 sleeves instead of short, and adding a mustard-gold stripe or two running through the cuffs and waist ribbing.  I’m looking forward to making the button band as I’ve never made one before.   The main color is “Squirrel Heather,” isn’t that cute?  Both are Knit Picks Swish DK.

Thank you to those who entered in this giveaway!  Without further ado, the winner is #2…Bunny!

Also don’t forget, the Holiday Haberdashery Giveaway ends this Sunday 10p PST.

Happy Weekend!

I made this dress several weeks ago, strictly on a whim, inspired by a wee baby’s dress I found at a yard sale and a blouse spied on Pinterest (via Casey).  In my excitement and haste, I went about things rather haphazardly, throwing all caution to the wind.  It’s made in a typical 1920s fashion, the skirt is created from a series of squares and rectangles sewn in various ways, not wasting too much fabric.  2 rectangles for the front and back, 2 slits cut into each, and a triangle (half a square) set into each slit is all the skirt is, easy to do but looks extra nice.

While I love wearing silk georgette, I simply do not like sewing with it (see my other dress using this fabric).  The nude fabric inset’s seams are a bit wonky.  I think if I had planned better and not rushed, stabilized the fabric (or something) it would have turned nicer.  All I can say is the next time I do a fabric inset like this, it won’t be with georgette!  The bodice and hem are finished with a zigzag stitch and the back closes with a single vintage button (that I forgot to photograph).   I like to think it looks like an actual vintage garment and not something newly created.

But, despite the issues, I adore this dress.  Unlike many projects I have sewn, I wore this out and about–to the pet store of all places…ha!  Why wait for a fancy occasion to wear a fancy dress?  And the color is gorgeous.  I’m not sure how it looks on your monitor but I would describe it as salmon pink.

I have other sewing projects in the queue (as usual) that I hope to continue working on this weekend but I’m also going to start a knitting project, something I haven’t done in quite a while.  (And it’s all I can think about even though it was 98 degrees yesterday!)  I bought a skein of the prettiest mermaid green yarn that I’ll use to make this little scarflette.  I’m just going to ease into knitting slowly before I jump into anything more complicated!

Have a splendid weekend.

Hi peeps!  Last month on my Facebook page I briefly mentioned doing a haberdashery giveaway and it’s finally up!

I have an abundance of craft supplies–I could probably open a little shop!  Ha!  But a de-stash giveaway is more fun and just in time for holiday crafting.  Anyway, there’s new and vintage rick rack in red, white and green–in different sizes–red double fold bias tape, tiny red craft pompoms, a baker’s dozen of red/white striped twist ties and wooden spools (oh, and a Japanese squirrel paper clip thrown in for fun).

To enter just leave a comment and let me know what you look forward (or hope) to make for the holidays.  It doesn’t have to be craft specific meaning it could involve cooking, photography, etc.

Comments will close Sunday October 23rd, 10p PST. Comments are now closed. The winner will be randomly selected and announced  soon after.  Open to everyone.

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By the way, I LOVED reading your mischievous mouse stories on my last post!   I guess many of us have had such encounters or episodes of nearly losing something that left quite an impression.  It’s funny how the human mind works.

Everyone has idiosyncrasies and I’d like to share a particularly silly one of mine with you.

I rarely remove my wedding ring but I will, on occasion, and I most certainly take off my engagement ring when there’s even a small chance of it getting dirty (as it’s especially delicate because of the old pearl in it).  But I have this habit of washing my hands before taking off a ring and since I don’t want to put a damp ring inside its box (which also happens to be vintage where moisture is a no-no) I’ll have to leave it out.  Naturally I’ll set it somewhere out of harm’s way (a.k.a. Spoo Kee), like inside a cabinet or drawer until I can put it back on or until it’s dry.  Whilst setting the ring down on the shelf inside said cabinet or drawer, I find myself thinking these very words: “But a mouse might get it.”

Headline: “35 YEAR OLD HOUSEWIFE AND COMPUTER-NERD LADY LIVES IN FEAR OF RODENTS TAKING OFF WITH HER JEWELRY!”

OK, it’s not quite that dramatic but still nutty.  (And what kind of newspaper would print such a story anyway? [And did I just say "newspaper"?  Do they still make those?])  But I’m not really embarrassed to tell you since it IS so completely…absurd; I cannot help but be amused by it.

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In high school my family and I went went on a road trip through the American Southwest: Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and so forth.  I will forever associate listening to U2′s “Sunday Bloody Sunday” on my walkman, snacking on half-melted gummy worms (from a 5lb bag, oh the horror of it), reading Garfield comic strips to my little brother (whilst we eagerly found coloring mistakes in the illustrations), and eating greasy-good breakfasts sitting inside equally greasy red vinyl booths at diners along the way with this trip.

Anyway, before we hit the road my mom hid some of her jewelry in a plastic bag inside the flour canister.  High tech.  Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Upon our return from the trip, and to our disbelief, the jewelry was gone (perhaps an earring or two was left  behind); only a holey and dusty plastic bag remained.  It was a mystery for a few years and soon forgotten.

Then my parents had the kitchen remodeled–taking out the atomic green formica counter top which I look back on fondly–and what should they find?  The jewelry.  Inside a mouse’s nest.  (We had no idea we even had mice!)   I was–and am– completely fascinated by the fact that these mice (or mouse) wanted the jewelry inside their wee nest.  I guess Magpies are not the only ones attracted to shiny things!

So there you have it, my explanation as to why that crazy thought comes to mind whenever I leave my rings out.

Last year I picked up a couple of vintage dresses that needed some serious altering before I could wear them.  Recently I decided to take a break from fall sewing to make the necessary changes; I don’t buy vintage to simply admire or learn from them but to actually use them and these were hanging in the to-do section of my closet for too long!   They are somewhat delicate but I don’t mind, I’ll wear clothes until they fall apart (much to my mom’s chagrin).

One of the frocks mentioned I’ll share with you here.  Post-alterations it’s now my favorite vintage dress!  Once a 1930s floor-length gown it’s now a saucy, ethereal thing.   It has its original hem; I just moved the whole skirt up to preserve the ruffle whilst moving up the waistline too.  The waist before was more fitted (with a side snap closure) but now I can just slip it over my head. (Yay.)  Lately I’ve been making or altering dresses/skirts to make them hit above my knees–a more flattering length for me–but I didn’t want this to be too short.   Since the dress is sheer, my solution was to wear a slip underneath that was quite a bit shorter.  And don’t you love the capelet?  That tie!

Oh, yes, I added some thread belt loops so I can wear a ribbon when it suits my fancy.  (I just read on Coletterie a great post about how to make such belt loops by machine although I make mine by hand.)

I love the look of winter white or cream during the cooler months.  There is almost celebratory about it, especially when contrasted with dark or jewel tones.  (The starry stockings, by the way, are J.Crew tights from the girls’ section that I refashioned.  I no longer have a garter belt and for now they are staying up by sheer willpower.)