Still slaving away, trying to crank out handmade gifts, though I came to my senses yesterday and decided to purchase a few gifts rather than trying to make everything. My mantra is easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy-and-don't-keel-over-from-stress, and I'm choosing the path of least resistance. I need to add in at least one more cliche there... I don't want to reveal all my gifts in case any of the recipients are passing through here (unlikely, but you never know), but I'm pretty excited about this ... Read more
Holiday Prep
Just popping in to quickly say that Santa's sweatshop is in full force here, and I am in the throes of toy-making (and last-minute-gift-sewing) at the moment. This year I've finally come to the sobering conclusion that I'm afflicted with a condition called Crafter's Delusion. Symptoms include a total disregard for realistic time management, an overblown sense of crafting skills and a rather worrisome need to hoard supplies and materials just in case. This condition manifests itself when ... Read more
Monday Outfit: Spring-Like Cheer
Good morning! Did you have a lovely weekend? We've been watching with wonder as K cuts down house after house of the advent calendar, and now we're a mere 9 days away from the big day. I should be focusing on Christmas presents, I really should. Instead, I made an outfit that practically shouts 'spring' because the weather has been quintessentially grey and these colors are so cheerful. All we need to complete the look is a vintage bicycle with a loaf of french bread and fresh flowers filling ... Read more
Monday Outfit on Friday: Collaboration
Happy Friday! I'm finally getting around to posting the Monday outfit today. It's a special one -- a collaboration of sorts. This ultra chic long cardi is the handiwork of the one and only Ba-chan (aka "Grandma" in Japanese, aka my mom). This is a noteworthy garment for many reasons, but mostly because this is perhaps the most restrained creation I have ever seen materialize from my mom's hands. The woman's favorite color is shocking pink, and no embellishment is safe from her clutches. The fact ... Read more
Sewing for Me: Fandango Pullover + Stripey Tee
My sewing machine is making funny noises. It started as a soft rattle, but now it sounds like an especially angry jackhammer -- so distressing. It's time to get it serviced, which means I am going to be without a machine for who knows how long. The timing couldn't be worse. But I tried to squeeze out as many projects as I could before sending it out, so that's something. This here is McCall's 6603, view B. The fabric, much like my sister-wife-on-the-compound-dress, is most likely some ... Read more