Party

Our mother recently celebrated a milestone birthday and to celebrate we made her a dinner to remember.

On the menu:

Mojitos
Artisan Bread
Roasted Garlic Couscous
Potato&Tomato Salad with Rosemary
Lemon Chicken on a bed of Angel Hair
Gingered Rhubarb Crisp

The setting was a mismatched table scape under our apple tree. It was a beautiful evening and our mother was more than happy that we surprised her with such a dinner.

Knitting's Knot a Crime

But I felt like it should be when I was knitting an ear warming headband in August. This Washington summer has been getting me down, I am so glad that some sunshine has decided to come to the party this week. My recent knitting project:

Cheap yarn I got at goodwill (see What I did with $25) and size 10 needles and a stockinette stitch for the main band and then size 8 and simple kit for the tie which also nicely covers up where it was sewn together. A quick and easy project that is so easy and took me only one night while watching TV to make.

Wedding

(I would properly cite this image but I truly can't remember where I got it)

I have a dear friend that is getting married very soon and Kendra and I are both honored to be part of her big day as bridesmaids. We have a get together planning party tomorrow and are excited to help her decorate. I've found that the DIY pompoms and flowers are very popular and in my opinion beautiful choices for weddings. I will be suggesting and sharing these images with her tomorrow and hopes they will fit in with her vision.

Once Apron a Dream

Me being me when a friend leaves for a new adventure in life, I love to give them a gift that can help them remember me. My friend/former teacher left to teach at another school in a different state and so at the going away picnic I presented her with this apron that I made for her. Designed with a "J" for Jennifer and a music note (as she is a music teacher).

A feast for your eyes

These are two of my favorite artists, one I found a long time ago and have been in love with for a while now, and the other I just found today. They both use paper manipulation.

The first three are by a Christian artist named Peter Callesen and the last two are by Lucus Simoes.

Books & More Books!

As I was reorganizing my room yesterday I decided to write down all the posts that I intend to do and realize I better get cracking. Equipped with a brand new laptop, I figure there is no better time to play catch-up than right now.

One of my most recent joys is books. Some fiction novels but primarily my growing collection of vintage sewing and fashion books. You can find them for such great prices and they have such great pictures and tips in them that I just can't get enough!

In this picture I am holding 7 Time Life "The Art of Sewing" books that came each with there own textile covering. They were published in 1974 and are chalk full of daring fashion and interesting history.

My collection of books grows with each garage sale, thrift shop and antique store I go into anymore. I even splurged (for me that is above $10) and bought the The Dressmakers Technique Bible from JoAnn Fabrics and haven't regreted it at all. It is a great book filled with ideas, tips and vocabulary that helps improve my sewing skills. At a local antique shop I got one of my greatest finds a 1961 Home Economics text book that teaches everything from how to brush your teeth to how to sew to how to be confident in yourself. It even has the check out card from the local highschool where it was used. The contents let me learn about the history I actually find interesting.

One of my favorite parts of my books is the way it uses materials that are hardly used by the average sewer anymore. I now know how to trim and use snake leather, you aren't taught that in your average new sewing book. Looking through the pages of each book is an experiance.

My collection keeps growing and making me happier and happier. Now to organizing so I have space for them all!

Groovy Tie Dye

Happy almost Friday!!!!!!!!!!
We are going to tie dye, dip dye and all around just go nuts with dye tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited. I thought I would share with you some of my inspiration to get my tie dye on.

We will be sure to show you the finished product as long as it isn't too terrible, I'm crossing my fingers. Have a great weekend!

Images via Pintrest