Friday Faves - August 27

Font:
Power Station Block Wide from The Alphabet Soup Collection at Veer

Crafting:
Twist Collective's Fall Collection of knitting patterns
Particularly (from top): Acorns sweater, Stratocumulus sweater, Hawthorne shawl, Tern socks (pattern available for free download!)

Embroidery 101 from The Purl Bee

Photo plates from Martha Stewart

Turn Old Paperbacks into Custom Hardbacks
from Ohdeedoh (via whipup.net)

Music:
Jenny & Johnny
(listen to the full album on NPR)

Thursday Thriftday - Aug 26

Black Grecian Mini Dress
no label, purchased a few years ago in Glendale, CA at Goodwill (?)

This little dress is so adorable despite the unfortunately cheap fabric. Judging by the presence of shoulder pads (now removed), I believe it's from the 80s.

The tie goes across the back and keeps the dress in place, just so.

Friday Faves - August 20

Font: Strangelove Next from Veer

Design:
Illustrator Katie Turner (via Design*Sponge)
adorable work!

How to make your photos look vintage (from PhotoJojo)

Blog:
Cannelle et Vanille
gorgeous photography of delectable gluten-free food

Thursday Thriftday - Aug 19

Green Polka Dot Blouse
Label: Impressions of California

I love, love, love this blouse. The neckline is kind of a flouncy, gathered shawl collar.

The only closures are two green buttons below the collar.

D-ring Clutch

I made this creamy colored, pink lined clutch for my sister-in-law for her birthday. The body of the clutch is made with one large rectangle and one small one. The tie closure is attached to bottom of the bag and the D-rings are attached to the flap.
The exterior fabric is a heavy-weight upholstery fabric with a soft feel. The lining is a light-weight cotton. I've already thought of variations for this simple clutch.

Calf-Length Sweat Pants

I was inspired to make these calf-length sweatpants by some I saw on the Love Maegan blog (love her style by the way). I had some grey sweatshirt fabric and was thinking they would be fun to make and wear.

Sweat pants are starting to creep up in fancy, not just for lounging ways. Such as these from Madewell.I think my version falls short.
I used a basic Stretch and Sew pattern for the pants and added extra wide cuffs and waistband.
The fit is definitely less than flattering. But oh well, pants are a pattern I'll definitely need to perfect.

Friday Faves - August 13

Font: Daisy Lau

Sewing:
Denim Cutoff Wine Bag on Design*Sponge
one word: genius!

Crafting:
Magnetic Map Board from Apartment Therapy

Kitchen Decals (free download) from Just Something I Made (via craftzine)

TV:
Hell's Kitchen
The finale was this week. I was so excited for Holli! Weeks ago I pegged her as the Kelly Clarkson of HK.

Project Runway
This season is pretty good so far!

Thursday Thriftday - Aug 12

Teal Double-Knit Blazer, $2.99, Goodwill, Palm Springs
Label: Graff Californiawear

The reverse side of the fabric is used as contrasting accent along the collar and pockets. The jacket appears to have never or only gently worn. What a steal!

Vogue V2947 Blouse

Vogue V2947 (Out of print), view B
above: Front

Back

The fabric is a remnant I picked up from the Michael Levine. I cut a size 14 yet it is still very loose fitting.I think this can be worn untucked or tucked into a high waist bottom.front close-up

back close-up

inside
I serged the main seams and hand applied the binding at the neck and armhole.

Overall I like the blouse and I'm pleased with the outcome.

Friday Faves - August 6

Font: Sketchetik from MyFonts

Design:
Vintage Album Covers at Project Thirty-Three (via Grain Edit)

Vintage WPA posters from The Library of Congress (via H&FJ blog)
I've loved these posters for a long time and have a small collection of postcard reproductions.

Sewing:
Paper Bag Waist Skirt Tutorial from Adventures in Dressmaking

Magic Tube-Turning Trick from Sew, Mama, Sew

Ombre Dyed Silk Scarves from Martha Stewart

Ethnic Sash Cinch Belt from ...love Maegan

Jewelry:
Sailor Knot Bracelets from Etsy Blog (via craftzine)
Macrame Necklace from P.S. I made this

Decorative Edged Scarf

This scarf started with a sketch. I had some brown fabric that I bought at the thrift store and dyed navy. I bought the loopy decorative edging at the Michael Levine bulk store and stitched it to the edges.
I modeled the size after a purchased scarf I love, the perfect length for wrapping once around the neck.
Before dyeing, I had finished the edges with a brown-gold thread. I liked the nautical contrast at first but now I'm not so sure. What do you think? Does it need something else? Or leave as is?