Ashlyn's Dress: Continued

Yesterday I mentioned that I had to cover up a hole in the front of the bloomers made by my wandering seam ripper.
Applique wasn't going to work (too close to the center seam), and a ribbon wasn't going to work (too centered), and a ruffle wasn't going to be in the right place either.
I considered making three-dimensional flowers from the bloomers fabric, but chances are they wouldn't look nice without ironing, and that's a hassle.

So I bought some pink embroidery floss and the plan was to make random French knots.
I figured the knots would cover the one tiny hole, while echoing the polka dots in the fairies print.
I considered metallic silver, but figured the regular cotton would be easier to use.
Unfortunately, the tiny hole was larger than I realized.
Hmmm....now what?

I took yet another print by Michael Miller, Apple Morning Fairies--the same fairies as the skirt fabric, but larger, with green leaves and blossomsI randomly cut out leaves and blossoms, fused them with Steam a Seam all around the bloomers in line with the little hole, then used the tiniest stitch on my machine to stitch each applique.

Ridiculously time consuming, but I think it's cute.
The leaves bring green into the bloomers, and tie the entire design together.
You'll see.

Tomorrow: the finished dress.

Ashlyn's Dress: Part One

Remember when I made blocks for Ashlyn's baby shower?
Well, now she's turning a year old, so I thought I'd sew a little dress.
Rather than sort through pattern books or even vintage patterns, I decided to use a pattern I already had--the jumper with bloomers pattern in Amy Butler's book, "Little Stitches for Little Ones".
I went to Beverly's Fabrics (much better quality than Joann's) looking for Amy Butler fabric (mom Amber loves her fabrics), but their selection of AB isn't what it used to be.
I had a hard time deciding, but ended up choosing Michael Miller's Rose Morning Dots--a print with fairies, pinkish-colored polka dots, and a dash of glitter.
I paired it with a coordinating stripe, in the Marabella line by Amy Hamberlin of Kati Cupcake Designs for Henry Glass Fabrics (holy cow, that's a mouthful!)
and I added a third print in the same colorway, also by Michael Miller (well, more accurately it's Sandi Henderson for Michael Miller, called Meadowsweet), called Vintage Paisley (in Blush).
It's such a strange shade of pink, I was excited to get a match.
Mom Amber loves lime green and hot pink, and this is more of an apple green with a coral, but I think she'll like it anyway.

I was going to sew French Seams, using this tutorial, but then I realized the Amy Butler pattern is lined, so it would automatically be finished inside.
I'll save the tute for another project.

I have been sewing on the outfit for several hours today, but had some problems.
I put the bloomers together, and was measuring to put the casing in the waistband, but things just didn't look right.
Oops, it was upside down.
Hello seam ripper.
Unfortunately, I had used the tiniest straight stitch and zigzag on my machine, so starting over took some time.
Aarrggh.
Even worse, the seam ripper skipped and made a hole right in the front.
I'll post my solution tomorrow....

Shopping ideas

My new slippers (from Lands End)


On my "gimme" list"
an alarm clock called "Sunrise", (by Homedics) that mimics the sun rising--it works with your own lamp to wake you more naturally...with light and nature sounds
This is fun--a cake shaped like a sandwich, from Perpetual Kid.The current issue of the Food Network Magazine suggests making yellow cake, with peanut butter frosting plus your favorite jelly.
I think this would be fun for a kid's themed party for someone turning 50 or 60!

I love the vintage teaspoons that have been remade into garden plant markers, by Monkeys Always Lookalso available in her etsy shop, and coincidentally located in my city of San Diego too!

Cirque du Soleil

Yesterday, my mom and sister-in-law and I went to the Balboa Theatre to see Cirque Dreams Illuminations.
I had seen bits of Cirque du Soleil acrobatics before, so I knew they were magical, but I didn't realize the shows involve something of a theme (like a play), including vocal performances.
It was amazing.

A bonus surprise was the theatrical debut of Robert Muraine, who I knew as the popper from season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance

An article, with more pics of the show here (includes a video excerpt).

Miscellaneous

I'm loving Urban Threads makeover on Sunbonnet Sue.
The new girl is having a lot more fun!
Urban Threads sells embroidery patterns (machine and hand)


I just bought this pattern to make these adorable felted slippers.
God, aren't they CUTE?!!
Pattern by Melynda of FrenchPress Knits (etsy)
She offers seaming tutorials or her blog.

Jen, of The Felt Mouse, posted a really fun recycling idea:
turning eyeglasses into pins.
I suggested that you could go one step further and copper tape the edge then solder it.
I have to try this

I can't wait to try Bobby Flay's Frozen Mojito

Blogger's Generosity

Wow, I have some very generous blog friends.

Remember how I recently posted that a lot of my collage materials were damaged by water, and Mary Ann came to the rescue by sending me an envelope filled with ephemera?
Little did I know that package was just the opening act.

Holy cow, in the mail came a STUFFED to the brim box filled with so much more!

Sewing pattern envelopes, not to use for sewing, but to use in collage


Book covers, and books, also to use in collage.
Hmmm, I think I'm keeping that French cookbook though.
But come on--Jenny Lind and her Listening Cat? How perfect!


Oops, image is upside down. Oh well.
Two novelty neckties (my favorite kind)--hot air balloons, and international flags.
Also upholstery samples, and tassels

Scrapbooking supplies, sheets of music, book pages.
Some really amazing French poster images

Eek! Vintage photographs (I about fainted), and postcards

More photographs, postcards, valentines, miscellaneous papers

Really really fun things for collage--bingo cards, tickets, playing cards, postage stamps, etc.
A collage artist's dream

On top of all this goodness, I received another package from another blogger!
Jen, of The Felt Mouse, had just sent me this package.
But sent me another, this time of piggy-themed stuff.
Two pig potholders, kitchen string over a piggy body, and bacon in chocolate (surprisingly tasty)

Then Mary Ann sent yet ANOTHER package, this time a birthday gift!

A rubber stamp with a paw print design.
How cute is that?!

I am spoiled rotten, and loving it.
Thanks so much you guys!!!

Dole Whip Sundae! Yum!

Ooh, I discovered Lapperts Ice Cream in Poway.
They sell Hawaiian ice cream, and Dole Whip (yep, that same stuff served outside the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland!)

Goodies

I bought this Alice in Wonderland locket recently. Yes, Alice with pig


and this birch trees print from Lisa Congdon


and this pattern for a crocheted bag

Coconut goodness

My birthday was yesterday, and my mom baked me a cake!
Yum.
Recipe here.