Luke is really getting greedy this year with his Christmas list. I hope we can somehow afford to buy everything Santa can't.
His list, in no particular order:
ok, ok, those last ones are on our list.
It probably seems like I gave up sewing, it's been quite some time since I have posted anything I have made. But really I like to post everything at once. The intent is to pressure myself into meeting a silly deadline, but lately it really hasn't seemed to work. And it isn't because I haven't been sewing, I just am now taking a couple weeks to finish a project instead of a few hours. Too many holiday activities, too much running around, and really I am just too lazy. But I have managed to squeeze out a few things over the last couple months.
Dress # 1
This is inspired by a couple of things. I would say most of the clothes I sew are inspired by A.P.C., one of my favorite brands. Simple, and unfussy. This particular A.P.C. knockoff actually was a shirt that I thought would make a great dress. I used an old vintage pattern, and made several adjustments. I also wanted to give the dress sort of a vintage feel so I chose a replicated feedsack print I found in Utah while fabric shopping with my friend Kelly.
I will say though, as much as I love dresses, I love layering even more. I prefer most of my dresses with something over them. Much more interesting.
Dress # 2
This dress is inspired by a Phillip Lim 3.0 dress I found on ebay. Unfortunately it was too fancy and overpriced but I loved its pleated cream bib and plaid fabric. I wanted to make something similar but a little longer and with fabric that reminded me of fall. Katie actually found this fabric first but after I saw it, I knew it was exactly what I had in mind for it. The tough part was tracking down a JoAnn's that actually had more than a half a yard. I finally found some in Arizona and had it shipped. I like how it turned out but of course I would change a million things if I were to make it again.
Dress # 3
I have to preface by saying, I'm not crazy about the fabric either. Last year I saw an A.P.C. corduroy dress that I really liked, but like all dresses, it was just too short. I later saw another dress by them that was in a floral corduroy. Subtle, but nice. So since then, I have been looking forward for fall so I could make myself one. Again I found myself at JoAnn's while I was in Utah and while browsing the corduroys I apparently was possessed and bought the craziest floral pattern in the bunch. I knew after they cut it I had made a terrible choice but I went ahead with it anyway. I don't hate it, I just wish it wasn't so florally.
I used another vintage pattern for the skeleton of the dress. I added an inset with tucks, buttons, and cuffed sleeves. Unfortunately the fabric pattern hides all of the details I like so much about this dress.
I will probably only wear it layered with a black sweater.
& Shirt
This was actually a birthday gift for my sister. And I did make it in a few hours. This plaid was actually what I initially bought for my bib dress, but it just didn't seem right for it. I thought a shirt/tunic would be cuter. I used the same vintage pattern for the first dress but with several different adjustments. I thought it needed a little something extra so I also added a peter pan collar inspired by Jenny from Wiksten. She has a tutorial for the collar that you can find here. It's a little tedious but worth the effort. I love how it turned out.
Our dear friends, Mara and Christian Pulfer invited us to see the Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center. Each year the circus hosts a private show for the company Mara works for, who happens to own a big share if not all of the circus . Mara warned me that this event could get fancy, and to be prepared to feel under dressed.
She was right. The tent was filled with beautiful people in beautiful clothes (including the kids), sipping wine, (not including the kids) and grazing trays of appetizers. I loved it, for just a minute I felt part of the high society of New York, something I usually feel quite the opposite from. After a few minutes of people watching and cruising the hors d'oeuvres, we redeemed our tickets for hot dogs, sodas, popcorn, and cotton candy, then headed to our seats.
I wasn't sure how Luke would handle having to sit for two hours, he doesn't do so well during church, but he loved every minute of it. It didn't hurt we were only four rows up from the stage.
His favorite, the dogs. Admittedly though, we were impressed too. Who doesn't love poodles dancing around in little skirts.
I love, and always have loved anything acrobatic. It took me several years to forgive my mom for not pushing me to become an Olympic gymnast, now looking back, even circus performer. They just make it look so easy.
Although this act was beautiful and mind blowing, I couldn't help but be distracted by the thought of how annoying the gold paint would be, not to mention how long it would take to get it off.
And judging by how much harder Tom laughed than anyone else in the audience, my guess is the clowns were his favorite.
It is really hard for me to hold back. I sometimes just buy things because I think they are cute. I do it on a whim, and usually without an intended purpose for them. They eventually just take up space in my cupboards, which I have very few of, & just sit there, looking to good to open or use.
This weekend I stopped by Pearl River Mart with my friend Nick, who graciously entertained Luke while I stuffed my basket full of cute treats and snacks. How could I resist the cutest snack food ever? Well clearly I couldn't, and they are just sitting around waiting for a special occasion, which will probably never come, where I might justify breaking them open.
Which brings me to another key point of discussion. Why can't we make cute stuff like this? How does Japan have this market cornered? they so have it right, you would think someone here would catch on.
Starting with fabric. I try to resist, but come on, its just so cute. My last order from Superbuzzy is still waiting for me to make something with, which I probably never will. But that's ok, I really prefer just staring at it. 
And knick knacks. Cram Creme has my favorite selections of non-needed kitschy fun.
And my favorite, Hello Kitty. I had to throw her in.
Update on our apartment:
We are in contract. The papers are signed. Tentative date: mid to end of January.
Update on our move:
Today, it looks like we are moving to SLC. Ask me again next week and I may have a different answer. Tom leaves to interview for jobs in a couple of weeks. Wish him luck. Or don't, if you are one of those that wants us to stay.
Update on my sewing projects:
I have been a bit unmotivated. But, I'm just finishing up my third fall dress and beginning a pencil skirt that will look something like this, and a jacket that will look something like this. I will post pics of the dresses next week.
Update on my boy:
He is still learning how to smile on que.
Update on me:
I feel like this most of the time. Completely unmotivated to do anything.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 9:28AM