little bits

Little bits of vintage goodness.

This weekend was a wild ride, uppers...downers...turn-arounders. There was a small break in the weather, some troubling news, a baby-sitting swap with the neighbors, a difficult 3rd verse, and a tiny bit of vomit. There was also a 'Mad Men' themed company party for which, I broke out the red lipstick for the first time in years.

When this morning rolled in, it brought fog and a slightly unsettled feeling within me. After school drop off, I bravely faced the grocery market and fulfilled my duty as the keeper of the food. Coming home, I was thinking of some recent inspiration I came across here, and oh my goodness here, and definitely here. It occurred to me that I was in desperate need of some therapy. Fraulein Pfaff was waiting stoically in the studio, knowing I couldn't stay away.

I started gathering up little bits of vintage goodness...some received from lovely blog friends, some from sweet grannies, and some found on treasure hunts. Then it begins to happen, cutting and stitching and all the rest fades away. Yet, all the recent events, the inspiration from here, there, the buffet line at a Mad Men party, my longing for a bit of sunshine, the afternoon adventures of "Fleeto the Rabbit and his Horse with no Name"...all the little bits of life go into the dress I'm making.

By the time I have clipped my last thread, the sun is out, it's time for school pick up and I feel much better.

And now it's time to introduce you to a little something that Pony Girl calls, 'Rock N' Roll Modeling'!

Oh Yeah!

and check out her very first pair of Doc Martins, picked up for a song at the local thrift...with super cool miss matched laces, sweet!

Friends

all images from here

The continuing rain and dark days have just about done my head in, that's what I get for living in the Pacific Northwest. Just so you know, I wouldn't want to live any where else but, there are days...

Even though it's raining, there is a little sunshine in my heart today. Yesterday, I got to see an old friend after many years of having lost touch. Despite the 12 years of being apart, and the many stories necessary to catch up, it was like we simply picked up where we left off.

Have you ever met someone, and right away you just know you're gonna be friends for a long time?

Last week I had been watching something on TV that made me think of my friend. Even though I had tried before in vain to find him, I thought I'd give it another go. Thanks to the tricky ways of the internet, this time I got lucky. Lo and behold, he was going to be in town in a few days and he was coming to see me!

We were flat-mates once upon a time, one of the best room mates I ever had. We got along famously and had a blast together. He called me 'Chicken' and I called him 'Freak', though they sound a bit iffy as nicknames, they truly were terms of endearment. After we left our house to each move in with our boyfriends (which ended poorly for both of us), we lost touch.

Turns out, he lives only a couple of hours away! We got to hang out and we talked straight through the couple of hours we had, laughing for much of it. As we hugged goodbye - we promised to never, ever lose touch again. It takes a special sort of friendship to bridge that gap of time and life and still be as comfortable and happy together. I am feeling most fortunate to have found my friend again, I almost don't mind the rain.

May your weekend be blessed with friends!

Sundry

First, I have to thank all of you lovelies for the sweet comments and all the encouragement you left for me on my last post. I feel so immensely grateful to have such wonderful readers with such kind hearts. You make me feel as though I could do anything!

As I mentioned, my stitching has slowed to an almost standstill. I do have one little bit of making to show. A pair of dungarees for Pony Girl. Made from the Farbenmix pattern, Berit. I love this pattern as they go together quickly and have a bit of interest to the piecing. I kept this pair on the simple side - since the denim I used was of heavy weight and too much embellishing would have made them even heavier.

I tried to get the girl to model them for pictures because they are much more charming that way, instead of laying on the table all flat and kidless. She would have none of it though.

In other stitch related news; I received the sweetest bundle from Denise of A Bun Can Dance. We had a little scrap swap between ourselves and across an ocean. What a wonderful package arrived at my door, with some special vintage pieces to boot! The lovely fabrics have me pondering and wanting to sew.


And now in completely unrelated but noteworthy news...
A little while ago I received an email from Sandy of Sandy and the 1000 Paper Cranes. Sandy is on a mission! To fold 1000 paper cranes, to write affirming, positive words on their wings, and release them into the world for people to find.
This is a pretty great idea so I thought I would spread the word. If you want to read about her project click here. You too can join in by making your own cranes and setting them free. How awesome is that?

Well, that's it for today. Have a swell one!

Blush

Today there is rain again, the morning is heavy with darkness, and we are out of cat food. Still...this morning there is good coffee, the ladies are laying again after a long egg-less spell, my family is safe, and I am happy.

Here in the first blush of a new year, I haven't yet found a moment to pause...to really consider the days that lay before me. There's a lot of living in the moment going on around here. I've been reading others words for the coming year, goals and resolutions that resonate with me in some way or another. As much as I love list making - oh I really do you know - I haven't made an actual 2011 list. I think I might just roll with it this year and make it up as I go along. I do know that I want to be brave.

It's funny what being brave used to mean to me, compared to what it means now. When I was young, being brave was driving cross country in a car barely held together with duct tape and radio wires - or a yearly solo wilderness camping trip - or moving to an unknown city at the drop of a hat - or jumping off of tall bridges into icy cold rivers - or first kisses. Being brave is something altogether different now, and harder too I think.

I can imagine you reading this, perhaps thinking that my reflections on life are all well and good but, 'didn't she say something about a secret?' You don't miss a trick do you?
Some of you have been visiting long enough to know that I have a passion for music, and that I indeed make music myself. My stitching has slowed down to make way for another sort of crafting. I've taken on a secret project (soon to be much less secret)...and I want to make sure that I say this in the coolest possible way...

This weekend we had the first rehearsal for the new album.

And by 'the new album', I mean the only album. In the spirit of bravery, and to truly live in the moment, I am going to be recording a bare bones album with the help of some wonderful musicians who are getting paid in homemade cookies and beer. All my own material - made to sound gobs better with the talent of afore mentioned musicians. I'm a bit a-flutter about it, excited and nervous, even though it may just end up gifties for unsuspecting family and friends. It is indeed a Brave New Year!

To the sweet reader who sent me a note guessing that I was pregnant, I do hope you are not too disappointed.

Well Hello

I'm back. After a number of issues with blogger, my camera, and a bit of overextending myself...I think I have put things to right again. I've gotten a little off track and so I'm starting fresh.

Remember my little "Self Portrait Challenge"? It's on again! These were taken in the first days of the new year. The first good look at myself of 2011.

I had just dyed my hair a shade called 'Egyptian Plum'. When I told the Engineer over the phone he thought I had said 'Egyptian Slum', to which he replied, "That sounds awful!" So, now I am the mom at school pick up wearing what may or may not be pajama pants, and hair the color of an exotic Slum...which, if you're curious, is vaguely purple.

How about you, wouldn't you like to capture yourself on the precipice of a new year?

I'm off to see what I've been missing out there in blogland. I'll be back next week, with crafty bits and possibly to share a little secret I've been keeping.

Have a grand weekend!

Excuse me

Experiencing technical difficulties.
Will return once this business is sorted out.
Until then, all the best to you!

10 in 10 for 10 - Day 6

In My Room - The Beach Boys
There's a world where I can go
and tell my secrets to
In my room
In my room

In this world I lock out
all my worries and my fears
In my room
In my room

Do my dreaming and my scheming lie awake and pray
Do my crying and my sighing laugh at yesterday

Now it's dark and I'm alone
but I won't be afraid
In my room
In my room

Portlandia

Time Out!
2 posts in one day?
I simply had to share this!
A new show is premiering Jan. 21 on the Independent Film Channel called Portlandia. A comedy show - loving and lampooning the city I live in, I can't wait. Until then, I leave you with this hilarious clip, because it is awesome!

If you are having trouble viewing the video try clicking this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVmq9dq6Nsg