Giving it the best that I've got

As always happens with a new house, even a rental, I'm on a fresh decorating tear. I'm seeing everything with new eyes and loving the possibilities. It's hard to sleep I'm so full of ideas. I'd share them with you now but what would I have to write about?

So we'll take it one step at a time.

I thought Annabelle could use a friend. I picked up this oval shaped wreath of twisted branches from wallyworld for only three bucks. The silk flowers were collected from various craft stores/sections. Don't ask me what kind of flowers, except for the roses. I'm floral stupid. They looked pretty and coordinated with my colors. Good enough.

I spent the better part of a half hour snipping off all the little buds and leaves. Pete was nice enough to let me borrow his school scissors.

Using a hot glue gun, I wrapped some pale green grosgrain ribbon around the branches. After that, came the flowers. And then came my two girls, always ready for the camera. If I'm not careful, people will think I love the pinker more than the peteness. Truth is pinky loves to pose while pete's more of a behind the scenes kind of kid.

Pardon the mess. Moving and all that.



After the wreath came a few accent pieces I plan to use on the fireplace mantel. I used two styrofoam floral cones that I bought from Michael's. If you go that route, you'll have to use a low temp glue gun. If you go at it with a regular one, you'll melt the styrofoam into nothing. And trust me, it's not too good on the lungs.

Take your time and apply the glue over about an inch of the surface at a time. I glued the bigger flowers first then filled in the empty spaces with the smaller ones. Add a delicate butterfly or fashion a couple bows out of ribbon and glue them back to back on the top. Finish with a leftover flower and voila! Handmade home decor.

Summer Sun, Somethin's Begun

When it comes to sewing, I have an incredibly short attention span. Even while working on one project, mentally cutting out the next, and hammering down the details for the third, I'm thinking about what I'm doing next season.

As you know, I'm currently working on this bag, McCalls 5822. Here's a sneak preview.

Then, I'll start on the Easter dresses in conjuction with my EvaDress Contest entry.



And I just realized I only have 15 days. ACK! For some reason, I thought it ended the 28th of March. Oops! Guess I'm skipping the muslin after all. So feel free to ignore the cherry print fabric and focus only on the the pretty paisley charmeuse. I might manage the little jacket but I wouldn't hedge any bets if I were you.

After that, we are moving on to some wonderful lingerie by Colette Patterns, Nutmeg and Cinnamon. I'll give up more details in a few weeks but I'm planning three sets, everyday wear in ivory and pale pink cotton batiste, a luxurious set in ivory crepe back satin with black lace trim, and a proper pretty set of dusty coral crepe.

Even with all that planned, I can't get my mind off summer sewing. The sun has been bright down south for the last two weeks, warm enough to roll the windows all the way down in my old car and fill the roads with Mick Jagger, much to the chagrin of other drivers, I'm sure.

No matter.

My love for Start Me Up cannot be contained. But I digress.

Summer sewing, yes, that's what we were discussing. For bonus points, aside from the necessary notions, we'll be doing some MAJOR stash busting.

Let's start at the bottom. I've not made either shorts nor pants before, aside from a handful of pajama bottoms. Cross your fingers that I don't screw up six yards of cotton twill when I attempt these capris and shorts, will you? Although, I picked up some in khaki, bluebell, and pale pink last summer for less than four dollars a yard at Hancock Fabrics, so if I completely jack them up, at least I'm only out my time and hopefully, I've learned something from the experience.

I own enough floral print, gingham trims, and solid knits to make up enough tops to get me through the longest Southern summers. May I resist the urge to buy more patterns since I own the following and they'll do just fine with all the various ways I could adapt them. With ruffles, pockets, lace insertion, dyeing techniques, etc, the possibilities are endless.



And then there are all the summer dresses. Add the cherry print above to a list that includes this, this, this, and this, and it's a cruel, cruel summer, leaving me here all alone with a sewing machine. My closet will love me and my husband should be satisfied so see my stash dimishing, though admittedly, he won't be pleased with all the works in progress draped over the couch and coffee table.

Fly Like an Eagle

Ever notice how the UPS man always takes his slow sweet time when you're waiting for something?

Ass.

And boy was I waiting for something. Interestingly enough, I ordered this little gem before I had my grand idea but it's quite appropriate for my new venture. I perused a copy in Barnes and Noble then went right home and ordered it from amazon.com. What can I say? Amazon has better pricing.

And here she is: A is for Apron by Nathalie Mornu.

Don't let the cover fool you. It's chockabock full of cute little apron ideas fom the half apron pictured on the cover to smock style aprons that will cover you up like Jim Bob's eighth wife.

If I'm going to be getting dressed every morning and doing stuff like cleaning, baking, and other nice housewifey things, I'll be needing a couple aprons to keep my clothes from looking like something my dog shat on after playing tug of war with the kids. I already have some fabric in mind, a couple recent purchases from Connecting Threads.

I'd show you which ones but they appear to be sold out. I'll just have to sew up one or two and post tomorrow.