Party Dress Goal.

Sarah of Come and See the Seitz is hosting a “Pattern Challenge” where she is challenging herself (and you!) to make more clothes. Her hopes are to have a comprehensive library of pattern reviews and photos of awesome handmade clothes.

I mentioned in last week’s recap that I badly wanted this dress. I don’t want it just for-no-reason. I actually have an occasion to wear it. (Though I am the type to wear dresses like this for-no-reason!) See, my 25th birthday is coming up this year and even though it isn’t until the beginning of May, there is already a big buzz about it in our house. This is partly because the twin and I haven’t had a serious birthday celebration for about nine years. The photo above is from a surprise party my friends threw me when I turned sixteen. That was the last time I had a party. And the other reason there is buzz about this upcoming shindig is because it will be a 100% vegan affair! (If any of you know of any veggie recipes that will knock omnivore’s socks off, please share!)
Anyway, I figured what a perfect chance to make my own dress! (Something I haven’t done since June.) My project list is so massive but I’m feeling hopeful I can squeeze it in.

It’s a toss up between two patterns. The first is pictured above. Vintage Simplicity 8236. I came across it on eBay a while back and fell in love. When I got it, I had no specific plan for it, just thought it lovely, the price right and the size perfect, so I snatched it up. I’m thinking of a pale gray, if I can find a quality cotton or linen.

The second choice is the Coffee Date Dress. It looks plenty simple–I may not even do the ruffles. I’m leaning heavily on Harmony’s Black and White Whispering Grass print because it’s absolutely gorgeous and one of my all-time favorites. I think it would be too busy with the Simplicity pattern but perfect for the Coffee Date shape/cut.

Which do you like better? What are your opinions?

PS: Sarah is teaming up with allmodern.com by doing a giveaway to promote this project. Swing over there to enter!

Pot Holders.

I recently finished three more pairs of pot holders. (Almost done with a fourth.) One pair was a thank you gift (which I wrapped and gifted before getting pictures–just basic red ticking to match an apron she bought from me) while the other two pairs, shown in the photo, were a custom order for my cousin.

I bought some thermal batting a ways back to try out because some people recommend it. Although my usual method of two layers of cotton batting works, I have noticed it’s a bit thin for the really hot jobs. Anyway, this thermal batting seems nice and thick and is supposed to deflect heat or something but it’s, well, crunchy. As in it makes a little noise when you bend it. Something that, for some reason, really irks me. Also, it’s made of poly/nylon, which also irks me. I’m going to switch to three layers of cotton batting from now on.

I took photos while making the one pair so once I get it typed up, I’ll have the tutorial to share. (Which I just realized I promised moths ago! It slipped under a massive to-do pile through the holidays.)

Friday Recap.

Seeing as I’m on a self-imposed diet and can’t buy any new fabric, I turn to notions instead. I ordered some cotton laces on eBay. I already have dreamy ideas for them.

I didn’t think this was possible. But Teresa did it!

Hanna of Craftykin made me realize I don’t have a 2010 calendar. Considering I’m always losing track of what day it is, one would definitely be helpful. I really want this one but I’m trying to be frugal. Perhaps I should make my own calendar? What’s another item on a massive to-do list?

This being frugal this is hard because I very much so want this dress. It’s my colors, my cut, and it would be perfect for a spring party that’s in the works.

But instead I’ve joined in Sarah’s Pattern Challenge with the intention of making my own dress! (What’s a second addition to my to-do list!) I’ll be blogging about my goal next week.

In music news, I can’t get enough of Basia Bulat’s Heart of My Own right now. And I just found out the amazing Patty Griffin has a new album out. Off to preview it now!

Have a wonderful weekend. (We’re in for a lot of snow here in the East!)

Oh, Hello.

You’ll have to excuse me. I slipped under the radar for a bit there. I was very busy with life stuff. Honestly, I have no idea where this last week went. It’s like a wormhole opened up and swallowed it whole!

In shop news, everything I currently have in stock is on sale. I’m hoping to move it all before the Spring Update. Which I am getting very excited about. I’ve been cutting out tons of projects while listening to Lady Gaga. (Yes, I’ve become a fan!)

I originally had this big long post typed up but I realized it was really just me thinking out loud. Just typing it out was enough for me to straighten out my thoughts and decide on some things. One of those decisions was not to bore you with it all. It was basically about my goals for Liesl Made in 2010–more clothes and more natural and organic materials. Once my fabric diet is over–I still haven’t set a specific end date, I’ll just know it when I reach it– the first thing I’m reaching for are some more Harmony Art prints. (I cant wait until the Evelyn and Janette print is available!)

Shop Updates Update.

Hello,
I just wanted to let you all know that I really enjoyed my break from the shop. I didn’t get as much sewn for myself as I hoped but I still have things planned and am sure I can sew for the shop and myself simultaneously.

I have officially begun to make things for the next update. I’m planning the update on the first day of Spring 2010– which is March 21st. I think it’s only fitting. A time for freshness and new growth. Oh, I’m hoping it’ll be awesome. Scratch that! It will be awesome.

I’ve been digging into those bolts of fabric I received back in December, making/planning spring and summer skirts, nightgowns, maybe even a couple tops or dresses. There will also be more aprons and make-up bags—I’m testing out using a natural stabilizer as opposed to using the poly/nylon interfacing I have been using.

There is also the potential for me to have my own wee studio here at my parent’s house. My brother is in the process of building a big art studio in the barn–which is coming along, albeit slowly. Once he gets his studio finished, we can move his (massively large) canvases out of the spare room in the basement. At that point I can talk my parents into moving all their stuff out (oh, the room is packed with stuff, it’s terrible–see they converted the garage into living space last year and everything got shoved down there) and I can turn it into a wee studio for myself. There isn’t any natural light down there but it’ll be nice to have a place specifically for creating.

What have you been up to–creatively speaking?

Hello Sunshine.

The sun came out last night for a few moments as if to save a dreary day of rain. It was so warm yesterday too. Not at all like January is supposed to be. Today however there is a slight chance of snow. I have my fingers crossed we get some more (decent) snowfall before winter is over.
What’s the weather like where you are?

I wish I had some crafty things to share with you but all I have are stacks of things to sew but nothing completed. I should have a new bag design to share with you soon though.
Wishing you all a wonderful Tuesday.

300th Post Giveaway Results.

This is how excited I am to announce the winner:

(Photo circa 1987; Dad and I)
(And check out that retro wallpaper. I swear that was up already when we moved there!)
I had so much fun reading your comments. It was interesting to see so many different tastes (and similar ones too) in this crafty blogosphere. Now my To Read, To Watch and To Listen lists are longer than ever!
If you have about 45 minutes and are looking for a sweet movie to watch, I recommend checking out the first story in this three part movie: Three Times. It’s one of my all-time favorites. You’re bound to feel giddy afterwards.
And as for my favorite music, well, it’d be best to check out my library over at Last.fm.
And books: I’ve always had a soft spot for Franny and Zooey and anything by Murakami.
Anyway, I’m rambling. Onward to the results!

I didn’t feel like counting so I just entered the comment link numbers in to choose a random winner. (WordPress numbers every comment from the beginning of the blog.) Anyway, that winning comment is #2308 which just so happens to be Sarah of Threaded Basil. (Remember I got one of her lovely dolls recently. Cecile sits right by my desk and is a constant source of smiles for me.)
So congrats, Sarah, I’ll be sending you an email shortly. And for the rest of you, never fear, I’m planning lots of giveaways in 2010. I really do enjoy them. (And it pulls all you lurkers out of the woodwork. *wink*)
Happy Saturday!

Friday Recap.

I’ve been scanning old photos whenever I get the chance. Some may pop up in my posts. Like these of a snowy February in 1987.

-The Fabric Diet just got harder seeing as I found Flora and Fauna. (Love this one and this one.)

-When Pink Chalk sent out the newsletter I also learned about Craft Hope having an Etsy store for Haiti. (Which I’ve already mentioned and put the button up in my sidebar–you should too!) So I donated one of my aprons and it was snagged up right away!

-I’ve been listening to a lot of pretty music, like Alela Diane, Mariee Sioux, Essie Jain, Marissa Nadler, Headless Heroes and more.

-Project Runway Season 7 is in full swing. I had to Google Anna Lynette because I love the simplicity and sweetness of her designs. Check out some photos of her designs here.

-Who doesn’t love to get lost in the shelves?

-Pretty Pretty!

-The 300th Post Giveaway closes later tonight. And the winner will be announced tomorrow!

And thanks for the feedback on the post layout. I prefer the pictures throughout the words too but I’ve seen it done the other way too, and wondered if maybe that was easier to read. Things will stay the same. :)

I hope you have a lovely weekend.

2 Dinos.

Finally, I can share a post with you that is something I made that isn’t food!
Two little boys in my family will be turning two and three in February. I never got around to baby quilts for them and was feeling bad about the fact that I’ve never made them anything ‘Liesl Made.’ Then for Yule my brother gave me the One-Yard Wonders book and after oohing and aahing over all the adorable stuffed animal projects, I finally decided on attempting the Steggie pattern.
I was a little nervous about making it because I don’t have much experience with such 3D projects but when I cut the pieces for the first one, I went ahead and cut a second because it looked simple enough. And it was.
The blue one is a vintage fabric while the red is a new fabric that I received accidentally but decided to keep. Both have secondhand black felt back-spike things and eyes (I was afraid of the choking hazard if a button popped off) and both are filled with bamboo fiber.
Originally the pattern calls for a little wooden pull along base with wheels but I figured not to bother my Dad with that and giving the dinos to the boys as they are. Plenty cute, right?

PS: Do you readers like the photos throughout the words better or all the photos together at the top then all the words together at the bottom. I’m thinking of changing up my regular routine if it’s easier to read this way?

Tofu Sticks and More Cookies.

Hello and Happy Wednesday! Last night I spent some time in the kitchen, yet again. I’ve been spending more time in the kitchen than in front of the sewing machine. So today is a designated sewing day.
But first, my adventures last night:

We have a whole bunch of homemade Thousand Island style dressing (vegenaise, ketchup, soymilk, homemade relish, pickle juice, a dash of black pepper) in the fridge but no lettuce. While I was making my lunch yesterday, I saw it in the fridge and suddenly craved a breaded Boca Chik’n patty with the dressing slathered on top. But one my New Year’s Resolutions was to cut back on processed/packaged fake meats and find homemade, somewhat healthier alternatives. Then I remembered Teresa had posted a Tofu ‘Fish’ Stick recipe a while back that I kept meaning to try. So I dug a frozen block of tofu out of the freezer (freezing tofu gives it a chewier texture) and let it thaw for later. Then, later, I sliced the tofu and coated it in the homemade dressing and then leftover sage bread crumbs. Put them in the oven and Voila! Major yummies.
So, thank you, Teresa, for the inspiration and making my tummy very happy!

I also made a double batch of chocolate chip cookies from Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar. I wanted to give a different version a try. Usually, I use a traditional recipe, like one from Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook and just substitute in egg-replacer. This one didn’t call for any eggs and all the ingredients were simple things already in our pantry. Except for tapioca flour. I could have sworn we had some. (We have a ton of different flours on hand because my Dad is very much into baking, mostly bread.) But no tapioca flour, so Mom told me to substitute in some cornstarch. It turned out fine.
(Dad also said he didn’t get to try any of the Almond Butter Thumbprint Cookies, so it looks I’ll be making another batch sooner than I thought!)

(And PS: If you haven’t already, swing over to the Craft Hope for Haiti Etsy Shop to buy some great goods. All proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders.)