My true love gave to me...

Two turtle doves... aren't they cute?? I found this adorable vintage pendant on Etsy, and I knew I had to buy it. The colors are so vibrant and lovely that I could not resist.

And with the contrasting aqua beads and the antique raw brass chain, the necklace is delicate, beautiful and eco-friendly. It's one of my favorite new pieces to wear, and I have a few of these pendants to spare, so perhaps more turtle doves are in my future...

Mission upcycle

I love the idea of taking something old, like a t-shirt, and refashioning it into something new. I have been attempting this miracle for many years, and until recently, I never knew that it had its own word, upcycling. I must just be behind the times, because Etsy house tons of stores dedicated to upcycled clothing.

However, buyers be wary. The quality of some of the upcycled pieces leaves much desired. So, my mission now, try to upcycle something in my closet--because I know there are a ton of things that I love, but won't wear again. I hope some of you will join me in my mission, but if you cannot be persuaded, check out these fine Etsy retailers for the best of upcycling:

• Heidi & Seek offers a bit of everything, but the hodgepodge is definitely cute!
• Labudde won't be back until September, but her shop was definitely on the top of my list.
• wonderwear has some beautiful appliqued t-shirts that are a model of upcycling.

Little Swiss Girl

I made this doll as a belated birthday present for a very sweet little girl in my neighborhood. I put a lot of work into it, and although it isn't perfect, I'm proud of this first attempt. The pattern came from Stitched in Time, the book from the lovely writer of Posie Gets Cozy.

I, of course, made things a bit harder for myself and altered the pattern from the directions. Instead of gathering the ends of the arms and legs with a whip stitch, I sewed them closed on the machine, to make them more sturdy for a small girl. The effect is not as smooth-- the feet and hands are a bit square-- so perhaps I should have rounded the ends as I sewed.

The pattern also called for the skirt to be gathered and sewn to the doll, with the ribbon added simply as decoration. I made the skirt interchangeable by making a casing for the drawstring and bringing the ribbon through two buttonholes in the front.

I also felt that the pattern directions were not as clear when it came to adding the hair, but I did my best. In retrospect, I should have almost overstuffed the head, or added the hair before I had sewn on the legs, so I could have added more filling.

However, the expression on the little girl's face when she saw her doll was enough to erase any fears about its appearance.

Preoccupied with P&P and zombies

Gladly, my lack of blogging is not due to illness or death, but to a very interesting book. I can't decide if this book is genius, or sacrilegious (for a true Jane Austen girl, such as myself). But I do believe I like it none the less. Scenes from Pride and Prejudice are interjected with world-class zombie fighting by the Bennett girls, quite entertaining and definitely funny.

Guatemalan Gold

Okay... well, technically silver, but I love to alliterate.

My family just got back from Guatemala, and unfortunately, I did not get to go. However, I did get back some great goodies in the form of jewelry and a few other things. I love the shade of this lavender jade ring, which has not been well-captured in the picture.

Also, joy of joys, my thoughtful sister brought me back an ever-handy chicken oven mitt and fabric!! I haven't come up with a plan for the gorgeous fabric, but I'm sure I'll find something...

Perhaps a pillow, or a car-visor-sunglass-holder for my ever-growing collection of sunnies?

{Untitled Randomness}

I looked out the window a few minutes ago and saw this beautiful sunset. It took my breath away because of the unexpected beauty. It is not something I consider every day, but it is always that is there, waiting to be seen at just the right moment, when the colors blend and merge and contrast their perfect hues.

Birthday Quilt

This quilt, from my mother on my 20th birthday, has been in the works for years. This quilt is called "Turning Twenty," and uses twenty fat quarters. It's easy to cut out and piece together, and it is finally done-- almost... I have always loved these reproduction vintage fabrics, and this quilt, although a bit crazy-colorful, is pure happiness for me. The colors and prints just lift me up, and although they don't necessarily match, I think that it's the spirit that counts.

Cherry blossom hair clip

I was inspired by the movie Mulan to make this gorgeous-- I think-- hair clip. I love the simple, beautiful look of cherry blossoms, and I think what made this clip was the, dare I say it, delicacy of the felt and the wonderful colors.

Felt is not normally a delicate material, at least not the felt you find at the craft stores, especially with consideration to the colors. However, these beautiful felt colors are courtesy of pixiexrose on Etsy.

I did have a few problems, but in the end, I think it turned out beautifully. I'm obviously not the best at embroidery, and although I've tried many times, I cannot make a French knot stay, well, knotted. In the end, I just made a knot close to the fabric. Not as fancy, but just as cute!!

Sunday Afternoon Laptop Sleeve

A Sunday afternoon all to myself, and what to do? Make a laptop sleeve of course!! This excellent pattern came in the form of a free PDF download from Sew, Mama, Sew! The pattern is customizable to any laptop, which is really helpful as I have an older MacBook.

I think my case turned out beautifully, and I made in the span of one Sunday afternoon. I do love the accomplishment of a project that can be finished in one setting, made and enjoyed in one day!

I did have a few problems in making this case, but in the end, it was my own fault. I bought a double-sided fusible quilting batting, instead of the fusible fleece called for in the pattern. I thought this would eliminate a few steps, but in the end, it took longer because it would NOT stick.

I also added some double fold bias tape to the front flap to break up the small argyle pattern. This just added an extra step and a lot of careful sewing to the project. I had done bias tape before on a skirt, and it turned out really great.

However, sewing is not like riding a bike. I hadn't sewn for a while before this project, and while I thought I would still be able to sew just as well, I was mistaken. I ended up sewing the bias tape on at least twice.

The end project, however, is beautiful and fits my laptop like a glove, unlike the one I bought before! So, thank you, Sew, Mama, Sew! for the free PDF pattern!

Birthday Bash

I don't know what to say, except... it's been a long weekend. And part of the week... I had two cheesecakes, a cake shaped like a cupcake-- courtesy of the bf-- and a cookie cake. But now, hopefully, I am getting back into the routine of things and will be able to think again. I have several finished projects to post, but little time in which to post them. Hopefully, I can have something posted by Friday at the latest!