New Blog + Handmade Giveaway!

Hi folks! Guess, what? My blog has moved! I'm hosting my blog over at loveliette.com. This is super exciting and a sure sign that I'm actually getting things done this month.

To celebrate I'm having a GIVEAWAY! so please skip on over to my new place: http://blog.loveliette.com. See you there! :)

Update: This giveaway is now CLOSED but the new blog is up and running!

A Modern, Old-Fashioned Dress

click photo for a better view!

During my blog break I finally managed to do some fun dress sewing. Remember that Built by Wendy (#3835) pattern I was thinking of doing?

(Um, yea, and remember when I did rounded corners for a while? See how lazy I am now?)

Instead of tackling one of my complicated vintage sewing patterns, I opted to do this relatively easy and modern one. I used some inexpensive, soft black and white seersucker from Joann's; It doesn't have the crisp hand that I usually think of when I think of seersucker (like a southern gentleman's summer jacket) but that was perfect for this comfortable frock.

Mods

All seams are French, felled or covered with seam binding because the weave of the fabric is kinda loose and pinking the seams wasn't going to cut it (No pun intended - haha!).

Ok, so I started making the version on the far right. The yoke was looking quite funky, prim and unflattering (Which is sad because I thought the yoke was cool!) so I opted to use the blouse neckline and short sleeves too. I still added the patch pockets. I decreased the ease quite a bit to make it look more form-fitting which, in my opinion, is normally more flattering for us petite ladies. And even though I did that, I was delighted by the fact that I could completely omit the back zipper! (This is something that would only work if you were, um, small busted.)

I knew I was going to belt it so I sewed some soft elastic around the waistline, on the inside, with a zigzag stitch. I liked the mini-length but discovered that hemmed simply it looked as though I was donning an over-sized shirt. (Not my look, thanks.) But then it dawned on me to add the ruffle which was really the final touch and gave it some sweet, old-fashioned charm.

First, let me just say that I can't believe I'm posting a photo of my backside on my blog. (And that I also mentioned my bust -- Where is this blog headed?) But I really wanted to show you the bow! The ribbon belt is the very same French grosgrain from the previous post. I washed it and it become super soft and flexible - oh, it's lovely, I need more! To, you know, tie stuff with.

I'm revved up for more dress sewing. I started another dress, in the most summery cotton voile, and this time from a vintage pattern!

Summertime Blues

"midge" straight leg jeans, g-star raw

Early summer is one of my favorite times of year here in L.A. Who says we don't have weather? The June Gloom is upon us and I couldn't be happier. Sandals + cardigans, sundress sewing + hot cocoa, super-soft rolled up jeans + brunch al fresco; The mild temperature and overcast skies are, for me, at once relaxing and invigorating.

Everyone loves the color blue and I am no exception. And there are couple shades of blue that I adore, ones that remind me of early summer. Denim blues. Blue-greys. Silvery tones. These blues are dominating my wardrobe and sewing projects right now!

adorably silver "love, liette" labels

striped denims, french grosgrain, seam binding, cotton voile - all my favorite things

everyday frock, gap

custom made navy blue clog sandals, sven beach

bag samples in the breakfast nook

the perfect "goes with everything skirt," idra @ anthropologie

I hope you are enjoying grey skies.

Calling All Sewing Pattern Testers!

Do you remember, very long ago, when I said I would make some sewing patterns for the shop? Well, I barely do, it was so long ago. I've had the "Coming Soon" text on my Sewing Patterns page (on my fable site) for. ever. I think I was actually not going to do any because of the time it would take to produce them but I can't seem to get the ideas out of my head. :) Anyway, I'll be adding some pdf sewing patterns to the shop and I need your help!

I'm looking for a few people to test this pattern. It should be fairly easy and could be completed in an afternoon (depending on your speed and sewing skills). All skill levels are welcome to volunteer - if you are beginner it would be best to have some experience sewing from a pattern.

Also, I would like this done relatively quickly - in the next week or two (max). That way I'll have time to make any corrections/adjustments if needed. :) All testers will get a completed copy of this pattern once it's posted to my shop.

UPDATE: I've got my testers for this round - thank you so much!

Please email me at: dearliette {AT} gmail {DOT} com if you'd like to test this for me. Thank you in advance!

Sweet + Tart Raspberry Rose Muffinettes

I think I've ruled out one thing: a gluten problem. I'm not 100% sure (more on that later), but I've been sneaking in some regular flour -- though I definitely cannot eat whole wheat -- into my diet to see what happens. So far I'm okay...

So, then what do I make? Cupcakes!

I had this craving, you know the kind where it's late and you throw a coat over your pajamas and run to the market? (Ok, really, I didn't wear my pajamas to the store! Just saying.) Anyway, I had a craving for something tart and sweet and raspberry. I got some organic frozen raspberries and white cake mix. Add egg whites, non-fat Greek yogurt (Thanks for the inspiration, Elizabeth!), a wee bit of walnut oil (for the omegas) and lots of rose water, pour into some darling (and slightly miniature) cupcake liners and there you go....something sweet, tart and raspberry. Oh, and delicious!

Craft Love on the Internets ( + Book Project! )

Another reason I was anxious to start blogging again (as I eluded to in my last post) was to share my very exciting crafty news with all of you.

First, my vintage-inspired bathing suit design in Vickie Howell's Pop Goes Crochet (which is now available). Weee!!!!

I created this crocheted retro design back while living in Austin. I was a little nervous contributing to this book; I mean, Vickie Howell is, like, mega-famous in the craft world! But she's also really sweet and made sure to let me know that she was super happy with the design. When she sent me this photo I was blown away. Wow, that's my suit?? I was thrilled to say the least. Then her pal Jennifer Perkins of Naughty Secretary Club (if you love retro and bright/fun colors, you'll love her shop!) said some really cool things about it on her blog, which again, is thrilling! :) I can't wait to get my copy which is on its way!

Onto the second thing, art-related. My Spirit of the Forest print is featured in the May/June issue of Dujour Magazine!


Dujour is a new online and limited edition print magazine about emerging artists, designers and so forth. And it's gorgeous! I love some many things in this magazine (I got the online subscription) and I'm especially loving this collage here; I'm completely flattered that my print is included in this mix. Wow, there are so many talented and wonderful artists out there.

Anyway, thank you for letting me a boast a bit. ;) I couldn't help but want to share these happy, craft-related things with you! And thanks for the sweet welcome too on the last post - it's so good to hear from you.

Have a lovely and long (hopefully) weekend.

The "Pop In"

Some things cannot wait forever. I'm unofficially starting up the olde blog again. Development for my new shop will most likely not be done by the original date I had in mind which is entirely my doing since things always take longer than you expect them to, (Something I that I blocked out forget about) especially when you take on, well, so much at once.

Anyway, I've had a delicious break! I think it was a really, really, REALLY good thing to do though I can only speak for myself. After I started my blog break, it was difficult to not think about certain projects in "my blog voice" which left me feeling a little sheepish yet confident that a break was exactly what I needed! You know, like when you start dreaming about work or whatever it is that you spend a lot of your time doing. Taking the break started to put things (things in general) in perspective and it was nice to get back into the more tactile world.

However, I've missed blogging and all of you! So, let's get back to why I've decided to "pop in" sooner than expected. :)

My darling nephew, Logan, was born on April 30, to my brother and his wife. I know I'm completely and utterly biased, but is he not the cutest? Let's look at his picture again:

Eeek! Even his little hand (which in my mind I'm constantly referring to as his paw, hee hee) softly touching his cheek is TOO STINKIN' MUCH.

My boyfriend and I got to meet him 2 days after he was born, after a longish drive up north. We haven't had any babies in my little family for a long time and so the experience of holding him felt unfamiliar and yet totally natural. I just couldn't stop staring at him!

Okay, I just wanted to share this happy news with you. You can check out my flickr to see a few more pics (if you haven't already!). I've got more news to share but I'll spread it out a bit instead of bombarding you with a long post!

:)