Forget the 3-Hour Sweater, how about the 2-HOUR SWEATER?! This lovely 1930s model (seriously, isn’t she adorable?) is wearing a little pullover that the pattern claims will only take you a mere two hours; visit hardrockzombie for the pattern (via Ravelry).  You know I’m going to have to try this out (and it looks like it’s going to cut in line in front of most of my knitting projects).

Also, via Ravelry, I found this wonderful doll shop: Little Black Crow Studio.

I’m truly inspired by all of her deliciously spooky, vintage-looking handmade dolls - they have so much personality.   You can see the love and attention Blackcrow has put into them and I really appreciate that.  They are seriously making me want to revisit my bag of forlorn patterned doll parts (a.k.a. “graveyard of souls”) and try my hand at doll-making again.   I mean, I’ve collected more than enough fabric for them!

Amanita, 8×10″ hand-drawn and painted digital portrait

My holiday weekend consisted of stalking Tim Robbins (Ok, not really stalking, but my husband and I did have to drive around the block twice to see if it was really him), eating a to-die-for mushroom salad and imbibing the “Dozen Roses” cocktail (with real rose water and watermelon) at Fraiche, hunting down the Drapers’ residence in Pasadena (Ok, so this is kind of like stalking, a little) and finishing up this painting, “Amanita.”  Now I’m just trying to decide on the paper for prints.

I’ll add more info about this piece in another post.  But I’m just tickled pink that I’m getting some painting done, it’s been so long since I released a print.  Anyway,  I just wanted to share it with you!

I don’t recall if I ever mentioned that there will be polls on this blog besides in my Twitter feed.   One recently ended and I just put up another at lunch today, see the sidebar. —>

Just a fun little thing to do!  This poll asks the question, “Vintage: The Real McCoy or Reproduction?”  I’d love to know your thoughts!

Last night I designed the invitations for our “non-reception” wine and cheese party that we’ll hold in October.  I’m feeling pretty lucky, I mean how many people get to design multiple themes for their wedding? ;)  It helps that I’m not letting myself over-design anything.  October will be the perfect time to have a gathering at our place - the weather will most likely (*knock wood*) cooperate but still be warm and comfortable.  Plus the party will have an autumnal theme which is a nice way to kick-start the holiday season.

Today I’m finally working on some shop stuff!  It’s been so long it seems, as if I forgot that I’m trying to put up my Liette shoplette.  So many ideas have been swimming and pooling inside my head, it’s about time they come out.

Oh, and yes, the wedding photos are coming!  I’m hoping to post them by next week.  The wonderfully sweet and talented photographer is processing them right now.  So I don’t want to show you any of our own point and shoot homegrown photos until you see the official ones - I hope you love them, I have a feeling you might!

AND thanks for all the well-wishing and comments lately.  It really warms my heart, the thoughtful things you say.  I love logging in in the morning to read a kind thought here and there and I feel extremely fortunate that such nice people visit my blog.  I know I’m behind in responding, with the wedding and all but I’ll remedy that soon!

Ok dears, enjoy the poll!

Coordinating 1930s celluloid ring boxes for our wedding bands.   Mine’s the blue, his is the ivory. I’m crazy for these little boxes, they are so sweet.  I totally lucked out finding two of the same design.

So I ended up using the petal pink batiste to line my dress.  It’s like a cloud floating there on the hanger.  Tinted meringue, even.  I think batiste is my new favorite fabric although my dastardly little pins slip right out of it.

The straps are made of some pretty nude-colored lace I got in the Marché Saint Pierre many years ago for cheap; it’s always good to pick up haberdashery on trips - you never know when you may use it!

For this part of my wedding dress I used this pattern here.  I think it provides some good structure and is close-fitting.  There are two layers there but it’s such a wisp of a dress it hardly weighs a thing.  I may end up wearing a vintage pink crinoline that I have underneath, to fill out the skirt, although I haven’t made up my mind on that yet.

That’s all for now.  Sorry I haven’t posted again with another sewing lesson.  I feel badly about it but I just haven’t been able to get back to it.  But I will, I will!

And thanks so much for the wedding-love: Sharing these things with you make the planning all the more fun!  Have a lovely evening.