Fun-Fun-Fun!!

Did I ever have fun today! I spent more than two hours shopping at F & S. And I wasn't shopping for me, oh no!! I was shopping for glorious Lori :)) It will be a surprise for her- and all of you as well. All I will say is it is delicious!

Lori: I have to do something before I ship, so please wait a few days :))

I really need to do more giveaways- I love them!

-------------

And I'd like to thank Cennetta of The Mahogany Stylist for nominating me for the Kreativ Blog award. Thank you, Cennetta!

------------

Cindy: yes they are flamingo stockings :)) Ever since we spent a month and a half in Daytona Beach putting up a show, we've been dreaming about moving to Florida. We even have flamingos in the yard :)))

------------

Now, back to the plaid jacket I'm making:

Erica B. wrote a post today- maybe her shortest post ever ? :)) Check it out if you haven't already. I'm a wimp when it comes to SO MANY THINGS! I hate roller coasters,  I can't stand being cold, my head can absolutely NOT get under water, and if water gets in my eyes it hurts like acid - what's with that??? Anywho, that was the SHORT list and I won't bore you with stuff like that :)

But there's ONE thing that's not on that list: Sewing. I'm absolutely fearless and I how no clue how that happened. All I know is that I'm passionate about it. Maybe that's the secret: passion = fearlessness.

This started out as a simple project. But it's not any more. If you want plaid to match up, it's not going to be a simple project, period. And as soon as I figured as much, the rest of the project took on a life of its own. The lining will have piped seams in contrast (fuchsia), all the buttons will be different, and I think I'll embroider my logo and add a chain to the neck like Erica B. did on her recent jacket.

As you will see below, the neck facing is the only place where I had my head on backwards :)) I completely forgot to cut to match the back. And the pocket bags... all I can say is I didn't have the lining fabric when I did them :)) A little bit of bubble gum for breakfast, maybe... :))

And the Fabric Goes To...

Yes, Lori of Girls in the Garden guessed it right: It's BWOF 01-2009-114 B. This is quite complex with all the plaid matching, so LOTS AND LOTS of hand basting. Lori, you don't have to use this particular pattern, but if you do, I saw some gorgeous plaids down at F & S :)) We'll get in communication so you can tell me what to look for.

And this is something utterly unrelated and I have no idea why it struck me as fit to post. This photo showed up as I loaded my iPhone to the computer. It's taken during Christmas. DD found an old costume her older sister used while in 5th grade,  playing George Reed. :))

Kreativ Blogger Award

Susie Homemaker (Melissa) was kind enough to nominate me for this beautiful - and, new to me, award. It's spells creative the Norwegian way, very appropriate don't you think :)) Thank you, Melissa!

Rules:

1. Copy the award to your site.

2. Link to the person from whom you received the award.

3. Nominate 7 other bloggers.

4. Link to those on your blog.

5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominate.

My 7 nominees:

Couture Details (Claudine): She lives in England and makes beautiful clothes for her children and herself. Her blog is also so nice and clean- easy viewing for my too-easily-distracted eyes.

Couture Frenzy (Berry): This girl poses her stuff like a super model, just fantastic. She also speaks and writes three languages. Supermodel with brains ... huh??? She went missing in action for a while but is baaaack!!! 

Erika B. - D.I Y. Style: Well, most bloggers know her already, so not much I can add. She is a big inspiration and wears her clothing with fabulous panache! 

Laura's Sewing Room: Just like Berry, she's now MIA: Let's all give her a collective shout-out COME BACK, we miss you! Fabulous flair and a true inspiration to all of us.

Sew Fashionable (Cindy): This elegant Floridian makes stylish clothing, and I would raid her closet if I could. She doesn't post as often as I'd like her to, but living in Florida, I understand. Too much living going on down there, my favorite state.

Stitch Me Up (Ann): This woman is even more sophisticated than her pictures give her credit for. I met her at PR weekend last March (too brief an encounter, but it left a solid impression.) You're a very special breed, Ann, we need more of you!

Sew Intriguing (Liana): She chose the most appropriate name for herself, because this woman is intriguing. And elegant. Very elegant. Her clothes look like they came from Neiman Marcus, in fact; she looks like she could be the owner of Neiman Marcus. 

----------------------

I will post on the giveaway shortly ;)

Some Juicy Details

Just a couple of shots so I can do a review. Thanks for all your lovely comments. This was a successful project and I'm grateful for that considering the PRICE of this fabric!

I'm now making a jacket (and probably a skirt) for me-myself-I, and will post shortly. Nothing complex though it has a few tricks (welt pockets and bias contrast bands). The first one to correctly name the BWOF pattern I'm using will get a nice surprise: Fabric for a jacket from F & S of her/his? (lol) choice within reason of course- they do have some stuff way past the 500/yd mark :) And Nancy, you're not eligible cause you already know :))

I'll go by the same rule as Cidell did in her recent giveaway: You must have commented on my blog at least once, and you must promise to make this jacket within the year 2009. I will pay for the shipping as well- even to Australia :))

Okay, if you bothered to read this far, forget about the coat pictures and go check your BWOF mags. :))

Here is a link to a photo of DD doing a marvelous pose in her messy room :))

Juicy Chanel Coat

DD was watching Disney Channel, apparently too important to miss, so better pictures outside at a later time, hopefully. But notice the pose in the first one :))

I was going to take detailed pictures on the form and then I see DD walking out the door to a friend's house- in the coat... Oh well. Below you can sort of see the buttons; vintage silver with rhinestones from International Wools & Silk.

I didn't take pictures during construction, but it was pretty close to my Chanel jacket- even has a silver chain at the hem. We're both happy with the end result, and it finally looks like the weather is cooling so she can get some wear out of it. I also think older DD will approve- she is after all the one responsible for younger DD's newfound preppiness :))

PR Friendship Quilt

Yesterday I realized I had planned to make a block for the PatternReview Friendship Quilt and that the due date is January 15th. Pushing the coat aside, I dug into my remnant pile and pulled out PR color ways. Gorgeous 4 ply silk and lace... As I was about to dig in I went back to PR just to double check the measurements, and what do I see? Only 100% quilting cotton need apply :(

I have recently thrown out nearly all fabric scraps, the only colored cotton I had left was purple. Oh well. I checked my Erte book for inspiration, scanned one of the images and digitized. I cheated big time: Embroidered first, then cut larger triangles and used Steam A Seam 1/4" to place them before stitching them down :)) 

It's not too late everyone; it needs to be postmarked by January 15th. We should celebrate the place that got us all together.

-------

And check my last post regarding Million Dollar Quartet, the offer still stands :))

There Will Be Fringe...

... and buttons and sleeves...

This has been a long process with numerous interruptions. Really don't care though, because it's such a joy returning to this lovely fabric.

Changes so far:

No pocket flap, no in-seam pockets, and no collar. Instead I added patch pockets with fringe, silk piping, and silk bound buttonholes. Bias seams, hems and vent are fuse-stabilized. The two-piece sleeve is now a three-piece, split down the grain from top of shoulder, and a vent added.

Thumbelina and O'Malley have been very supportive throughout this process, always insisting on aiding in any way they can...

---------------------
I want to welcome Berry back to the world of sewing and blogging- I truly missed you!

Cidell, You are not too old for the dress- you would look fabulistic in an outfit like that!!!

I want to thank Cindy Lou for finding me and then top it off with an award! Since I already have received this award, I will link to that post here. 

---------------------

All you wonderful people are inspiring and enrich my life on a daily basis. I thank you. And so does DH. We would like to extend an open invitation to all of you faithful readers:

If you are visiting or live in Chicago, we will get you tickets to our musical Million Dollar Quartet free of charge. We are also planning to open our musical Baby It's You in a big theater here in Los Angeles in the spring, and when that happens, the same will apply. 

Thank you for reading my blog!

Christmas Morning

Thought I better post a photo of DD in her Bubblegum 4 Christmas dress or I'd forget. This one was taken on Christmas morning, yet she always manages to pose somehow, I mean, in the midst of presents and all... It fits her perfectly but the lace frayed... oh well. 

The coat is coming along and I've made several changes along the way. I'll post on that later. Cindy wanted to know how I make the fringe: Here is a link to my Chanel jacket fringe. The only difference is I cut a double layer of boucle this time because the fabric is lighter, and I also did not use any yarn to cross over.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. We did, but... I'm absolutely, 100%, without a doubt, ready for things to get back to normal, whatever that may be :)) All I know is it includes school. Thank heavens for teachers!