Summer Dress

Recently I have been very interested in sewing clothes again, I have only dabbled in clothes making but have always wanted to pursue it more. Because of past frustrations I have abandoned many projects.

But then I found this cute dress pattern via the Selvedge Studio, they had it in their window and it was an inspiration to get back on the clothes sewing train. This pattern was so easy, I did alter quite a bit, and found when I made it the first time it was rather large. So I sized it down and left the sleeves drapey, because I don't like things too tight around my arms (makes me feel a little claustrophobic) and I really wanted to use the ultra soft jersey fabric on the top part of the dress.

Featured on The Storque

I was scrolling through the Etsy articles and to my surprise there was Branches on a Kiss Lock Frame Wallet. It's the guest curator of Ready Made Magazine, to boot. Very exciting!

Lighting with purpose....or should I say repurpose.

People are so inventive with their recycled goods. Here are just a few of my favorites.
egg carton lights - bottoms of plastic bottles
umbrellas - antique wine glasses
spray cans - wine bottles

Cooling off

It has been quite warm here lately and in order to keep cool we've been hanging out by the river. This is our favorite swimming hole, pretty secluded except when the rafters stop and eat their lunch. And yes, those are white sandy beaches you are looking at. In the mountains you say? Oh yes, and we love it.

Meadowlark

I was asked by the Selvedge Studio to design a print for their t-shirts and such. My inspiration for this print was the Montana state bird.



Is anyone else excited to see this movie? Only in select cities, we shall if it makes it to mine....

All Ruffled Up

Another wildflower print, this particular flower we spotted when we were in Glacier. From the road it looked like a giant white flower, but up close had a much different look than expected. Small clusters of petals make up the Bear Grass wildflower.


Off the subject, I watched Then She Found Me last night and loved it. It is my movie of the month, everything you could want in a movie: funny, touching, and insightful. This is a must see, add it to your queue all you Netflix people, or if not just rent.

Focaccia Pesto Sandwich

In the summer I'm all about recipes that don't require heating up the oven or the stove. Sandwiches seem to be the best option for this.
I love pesto and everything else found in this sandwich, it's a fresh delight. I use pre-made pesto found at our local market. But this is an easy recipe if you are looking for something homemade.

Layered inside this focaccia sandwich is: pesto, fresh mixed greens, mozzarella balls, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and sprouts.

Happy 4th

Been doing a little traveling for the fourth: seeing family, going to watch a grand firework show, and eating some yummy sno cones. I thought this sno cone was very festive.

Hope your weekend is as fun as ours.

Next year I think I will attempt these.

Potato Printing

What a great idea to print on this dress. I love potato printing too, do you remember doing it with various vegetables when you were young? It's such a simple way to add some pizazz to a plain jane top or dress.
You can try it yourself, all the instructions are right over here.

Wildflower

Hiking around in Glacier last weekend inspired this print. They weren't in full bloom yet, but there were enough to add splashes of color against the mountain backdrop.

Origami in clutch form

Feeling very inspired by origami lately so I thought I would try my hand at it with fabric. This is the result, I also hand printed spring rain print on this little folded beauty.

Glacier

Such a majestic view we had in Glacier this week. If you ever get a chance to go, wait until it's well into the summer so you can hit up the Going to the Sun road. We weren't able to travel on the road yet, but I can't complain it was still gorgeous.

Thank you Michael and Cindi.

A day for all those father's

A happy day to all those dads!

I know it's not Father's Day yet, but we are getting ready to head out of town, so I won't be able to post tomorrow. Once we return from our beautiful vacation I will have many great pics to share.

For Father's Day I made this tie out of silky vintage fabric, the tutorial I followed was very easy, you should give it a try. My only advice is to make the pattern a little longer, but other than that I loved how it turned out, and was very shocked how fast it was to make.



One more thought, love....love television series and I think this one looks like it has great potential.

I love....

- getting a Saturday off
- going to the market on Saturday morning
- enjoying the market with company that has come to visit

Anniversary Gift

As you may have noticed in our little family our birthdays and anniversary fall very close together. So it can be a little hectic around our house for a few weeks.

I wanted to give my husband somethings special for our fourth year of marriage. I saw this embroidered note and fell in love. It's such a thoughtful gesture and I love how it looks like real paper.

So I decided to make a note of my own. My husband is a writer and to journal his thoughts he uses legal pads, so that is why this note looks like legal paper. And the words embroidered on the "paper" are part of our wedding vows.
Happy Anniversary Bradin!

Fabric Nesting Bowls

I don't know about you, but I love bowls, boxes, pretty much anything to store my stuff in. I'm always looking for new ways to organize. I stumbled upon this tutorial, it's so easy and the results are fabulous.
They are reversible, making them that much more versatile. I decided to make three that nest, inspired by pottery nesting bowls that I would throw on a wheel.
After they were all done I had the thought of making them with iron-on vinyl, then you could use them for many things, ensuring the fabric to not get ruined. The vinyl is great because you can take any fabric and make your own oilcloth.

Oh No The Big 30....

That's what these cupcakes say that my husband so thoughtfully made for me. And the picture is taken on my brand new tripod, also compliments of Bradin. I can't believe I'm 30, crazy....just crazy.

This makes me want to knit more

via here

Beautiful urchin poufs by Christien Meindertsma, they look so soft and comfy. The photo is what really draws me in.

I also love her other project entitled Idaho. Can you believe those knitting needles?

Birthday Pie

A wonderful day to you, Bradin. You are such a genuine person and I'm so happy to have you. Love you handsome man.


keylime pie

Eagle Feather

Revisiting the eagle feather print, but in wallet form. I love the vintage fabric that's lining the zippered pocket and kiss lock frame, part of an old table cloth.

It's right over here, if you'd like to take a look.