Curious Bird

keeping it simple

Hello there,

A little while ago I had the pleasure of testing out one of the new patterns about to become available at Betsy Ross (it's available now). Aimee, the pattern guru over there happens to be one of my Philly peeps and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to help her out...getting a new top sweetened the deal a little too. Anyway, sewing this simple raglan sleeve top was so easy,  like really easy, and it's cute -- sometimes something being easy doesn't necessarily mean it's cute, not the case here.

More of these tops are cut out and ready to be sewn up...all I need is some fusible interfacing. When will I learn to stock up on stuff like that? Hopefully soon.

Happy Cinco De Mayo,
Leya

tea time

Hello and Happy Friday to you,

Today has been full and it's only the early afternoon.
I'm a big fan of days like today -- lots to do and lots being accomplished. A nice way to end the week if you ask me. Oh, before I forget, all Built By Wendy patterns (actually all Simplicity patterns) here are 99 cents. Yep, 99 pennies. *do call before you head out the door because I can't promise every store is running the same sale, I mean, heck, I go to one in Jersey, it could be doing its own thing, who knows?*

On a different subject entirely, I can't resist posting a photo of our new tea set that arrived yesterday -- a lovely handmade wedding gift from our talented friend, Ariel. We love it. The little tea cups are so perfect, I'm positive they will be put to almost daily use.

Hope you have a great weekend.
I'm going to sew and drink tea and make a big salad with pesto toast on the side.
At least those are a few things I hope to do.

Be Well,
Leya

I'm back from a weekend away. It was nice, although not the best weather for my plan to run around and snap lots of photos. Rain and my D50 aren't friends and never will be. But it was lovely spending time with my best girl in a great city.  A delicious brunch in Brooklyn, perusing Cog and Pearl, and our trip to Spout Home for a few new plants were definitely highlights.  Now it's time to get back to work. I'm still getting used to the time change...it always takes me a few days.

Not sure how this week is going to look with regard to posting.
In the meantime, have a good day.

-Leya

show and tell

Hello there,

Look how spoiled I've been lately when it comes to one of my favorite things:  Mail.  The other day my friend Ellen sent me this groovy plate and several vintage patterns, all of which I'm really excited about trying to make sometime. Jumpers and dresses and funky seventies accessories, oh my!
And then I started receiving lots of gocco swap goodness-- check out all the sweet creations {and there's more on the way}. People really went all out with this swap.  I'm so glad I participated.


The magic doily notecards are made by Erin
Birdcage sweetness is from Traci.
The lovely notebook that came wrapped in beautifully printed linen is from Emily.
The rocking chair print is from Alice.   **Ladies, if I got anything confused, please let me know.

Hope you had a great weekend. Mine was very mellow, but no complaints.
I started a new project with my friend Aimee yesterday. We're just beginning, and we have a loooong way to go, but I'm excited.  Let's just say there's going to be lots of sunday afternoon cutting and piecing around here.

Hope your week is off to a great start.

More soon,

l.

it was a good year

Another year is coming to a close. It's hard to believe {something I'm finding myself saying more and more}. So much has happened in the last 365 days. There were ups and downs, as with any year. There were BIG moments, like a wedding, a honeymoon, and a holiday trip. I made new friends, took lots of photos, cooked new recipes, created some art, and rambled about it {or most of it} here. It was a good year. Thanks for stopping by this silly blog to share it with me.

Happy 2008, friends.

Fondly,
Leya

the glass doorknob

My interview over on the glass doorknob is up today.  I'm thrilled and completely honored to be included among such a talented group of artists. Thanks again, Shari.

More soon,
Leya

if you're happy and you know it, clap your hands

Here's a new shadowbox I finally completed for my friend Aimee. She requested it for a friend's wedding gift and she even supplied me with paper the bride and groom used for invitations and favors -- beautiful paper, I might add.  After months of waiting (my own wedding sorta got in the way) the box is complete and out the door. Thanks for being so patient, lady! I hope they like it.

The weekend is almost here. It's a good thing because I have some projects I'm ready to tackle. Hanging a new shelf over my new piece of furniture (to be discussed later) is just the tip of the iceberg. I've got a half-completed jumper that needs some serious attention. To tell the truth, I was very close to completing it before discovering it was too small. During the whole fiasco, D got stuck with a pin (drawing blood) when trying to help me remedy the problem. Not good. Anyway, it's the kind of project that's in need of some serious attention -- weekend attention.

In addition to all my various projects, I'm looking forward to seeing this sometime too. Speaking of, we finally saw the Darjeeling Limited last weekend. It was such a great film. Wes Anderson has this way of creating such beautiful films, all with a tinge of sadness. Each of his movies has this combination and it's something he does very well. Seeing the Darjeeling Limited definitely made me/us want to go back to India...Jaipur and Jodhpur, specifically.  If only that Bewitched nose-twitch thing really worked...

Have a lovely weekend,
L.

sweetness of friends

Happy Tuesday,

In an effort to keep moving this morning, I'm just going to say that Dustin and I REALLY scored in the friend department. The drawing above is just a part of our wedding gift from one of our lovely friends who happens to be amazing and so talented, I could gush about her for hours. If you live in Portland, Maine look out for Monique (she sometimes wears blue moccasins), she's someone you want to know. Thanks again, Monique. We love it.

Off I go.
Have a good day, friends
l.

makes me smile

Hi there, 

I can't resist, I have to show off a recent wedding gift made for us by two very creative and thoughtful friends.  This handmade book (formerly a golden book) is full of drawings and collage telling our story from past to present. Each page is so wonderful I can't even begin to explain how overjoyed we are about it.

Hope you're having a good week.

Be well,
Leya

thirty-wonderful

Today while speaking to my friend on the phone, she began trying to come up with something catchy to say about my turning thirty-one. You know, like dirty thirty or something silly like that. She was at a loss until in the background her partner yelled, "thirty-wonderful". And there you have it. Thirty-wonderful it is.

Birthdays are lots of fun. Especially cheesecake, yellow tulips, mojitos, nice brunch, haircut and color, Sunday matinée, votivo candles, purple calla lilies, soiree with friends birthdays.

Be well out there,
leya