My first job out of graduate school landed me in jail. The brisk and humiliating body search. The clang of the barred door. "What have I done?" I thought, numb and disoriented. I'd committed no crime, at least none that I knew of, and certainly none that would put me in the slammer. Somehow, though, at age 27, face covered with adult-onset acne, I stood toe-to-toe with glaring, orange-clad inmates. What I had done was find employment with an arts non-profit in the Bay Area. I'd been ... Read more
Monday Outfit: Oliver + S Garden Party Dress
Good morning! Since this new spring pattern from Oliver + S is called "Garden Party Dress", it seemed necessary to find some kind of floral fabric. I'm trying to challenge myself more these days, so I ventured into my bin labeled "silk and silk-like stuff". As soon as I saw these bright orange poppies, it was a done deal. Back in the days before I was trying to bust my impossible stash and when I used to buy fabric (a trickle of nostalgic tears here), I would take K with me to one ... Read more
Happy Friday + Randomness
Happy Friday! Last week, I found a note K had written, crumpled and forgotten in a corner. I love it to pieces and its sweetness bowls me over. It inspired me to digitally paint a bluejay, but I think her rendition is about a jillion times better: *That last line is "I can hear my neighbor playing music" - gah, it kills me. *********************************************** Have a spectacular weekend, friends! Yesterday was the first day of spring. Can you believe it? O cherry ... Read more
Sewing for Me: PPP // Lady Skater Dress
I don't mean to assault you with images of myself this week, but I was very excited about finishing this dress and wanted to share. I've seen various versions around the web, and had been admiring the pattern from afar, so you can imagine how thrilled I was to be invited to participate in the Perfect Pattern Parcel Tour. I had always planned on sewing both the Summer Concert Tee and the Lady Skater dress by Kitchy Koo for the tour, but time got away from me, and I couldn't get it done by my ... Read more
Sewing for Me: Perfect Pattern Parcel 1 // Summer Concert Tee
There's a reason that the Summer Concert Tee has been in the spotlight of the Perfect Pattern Parcel tour going on right now. Have you heard of PPP? It's an innovative collaboration with multiple prongs, e.g. a name-your-price bundle, a charitable educational cause and a rally for indie designers. I'm a huge supporter of indie designers and educational causes, and I like the unique approach to pricing. I chose the concert tee because it's a quick sew, to be sure, but it also has the key ... Read more