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

just a few degrees warmer

and I can wear my new dress (sewn from one of the built by wendy patterns I mentioned finding on sale a while back) and my new birthday sandals. I can hardly wait.

Happy Spring,
L.

 

the year of the leap

Hello there.  Happy Leap Year to you, and happy end of February {arm shoots toward the sky in jubilation). March is almost here and with it comes Spring break (if that applies to you), daylight savings time, St. Patrick's Day, and even Easter this year. Everything is happening a wee bit early, but I'm not complaining, I'm ready for a change of pace.

In case you're curious, the photo above is of a beautiful entrance to a church in Center City Philadelphia. If you live here, you probably know exactly where this is. The doors are hard to miss and even harder to refrain from photographing each and every time I pass by. I love the details...and the red is pretty much my idea of the perfect red.

I wanted to thank each of you for all the sweetness about my newest hat. I checked and  I have enough of this vintage green and yellow fabric for about five or six hats. Also, thanks to the peeps that placed a custom order -- I'm going to begin working on your hat this weekend. 

And lastly, congratulations to a couple of people we love who happen to live very far away in Olympia...you're going to be such amazing parents.

More soon,
Leya

a fan of the layers...and frida

Hey there. Hope your week is going well. Our yoga challenge is moving along swimmingly, and I got to see the new Frida Kahlo exhibit at the PMA last night, so I'm feeling pretty snazzy. I'm a big fan. If you're in the area, I highly recommend seeing the show --it's so beautiful and I learned a great deal more about her very interesting life. What a lady.

A couple of days ago, I mentioned that I may be coming out of a long sewing slump. I wanted to give you further proof: a new reversible apron/top (I'm wearing it as a top for now) from Simple Sewing by Lotta Jansdotter. I have been meaning to make this for ages and finally got around to it last weekend. For some reason I had trouble with the pattern at first, but once I figured out what I was confused about, it was smooth sailing, and very easy overall. I wore it as soon as I could (monday) and predict another one being made in the very near future.

Tomorrow looks a little busy, so I'll probably chime in again on Friday.

Cheers,
Leya

lucky match

Hello there,

As promised, here's a little peek at one of the new sewing projects I recently completed. I made another hat.. I'm quite a fan of these -- the fact that I can wear one all day (without really noticing) is a major factor here.

Over the last year or so I've made a handful of this style,  mainly for the husband and a few special orders here and there.  I find  that making each one is always a roll of the dice, meaning sometimes it's easy and sometimes I feel like I've never sewn a thing in my life. All thumbs. Hats can be funny like that...although I think I'm starting to get the hang of this particular one. I think I finally tweaked the pattern (otherwise known as shapes cut from a brown paper sack) enough to get the same results every time. I guess I'll find out for sure next time I make one, which could be very soon.

Here comes day two of our weekly yoga challenge. So far so good.

Be well,
l.

a new hat for zee husband

because it's no fun to sew only for myself.
because he made me a lovely dinner.
because he cut some pants into shorts and the blue material leftover really wanted to become a matching hat. (he has already informed me that he will not be wearing them at the same time ever).
because two months ago today we got hitched.
and mostly just because.

be well,
leya

seamripper tales

Hello,

Thanks for all the sweetness about my circle skirt post yesterday. I really love finding inspiration from things I can't afford (and don't need ) and  using that inspiration to make something new and improved out of an item from my closet. It's very satisfying.

Something else that's satisfying is making my own clothes. I'm not that skilled at it and I always attempt very simple patterns in order to refrain from getting too  frustrated.
I mean, I wouldn't want to take the fun out of it now would I?
The orange jumper above is finally finished. I took me longer than usual because I encountered some challenges along the way. If you read a few days ago, you will remember me mentioning how I made the thing too small. Well, I did (still don't know what I was thinking). I had a heck of a time deciding if the whole project was even salvageable, but my love of the burnt orange corduroy helped me to move forward and try, try again. I'm glad I did.
After using my trusty seamripper and basically starting over, I now have a new corduroy jumper that I like very much. Honestly, I like it so much I wore it two days in a row, although, does wearing something on Sunday and then again on Monday really count anyway? They are such different days...

Happy Tuesday.
Don't forget to vote if that applies to you.

-Leya

c'mon Fall, you can do it.

Hello,

Hope you had a sweet weekend. I did all sorts of things I wanted to do, although I didn't manage to see The Darjeeling Limited as planned.  I have this thing about movies, I really love going to the theater, especially matinées, but when the weather is so nice outside (summer-like, really), I can never bring myself to go sit in a dark theater. I'm sure I'm not alone here.  The Darjeeling Limited is certainly on my must-see list, so perhaps one evening this week...

After months of it sitting unfinished (too lazy to spend fifteen minutes to finish it -- I'll never understand why I do this with projects for myself), I finally completed a new dress. It's from a vintage pattern I picked up years ago at a tag sale and it's quite possibly the easiest a-line dress pattern ever, very comfy too.
I added the pocket for flair and finished the neck and arms in charcoal trim just because. I'm already thinking about cutting another one of these out. Hopefully I can find the motivation to finish the next one in a timely fashion.

Also, because they are in prime snuggle mode these days. I wanted to share some kitty photos this week.
These two do not always get along...



more soon,
l.

it's a wrap

I recently discovered confirmed something about myself . For a while now, I've noticed whenever the deadline for a project is quickly approaching or I have taken on too many things at once {this has been happening a lot lately} and I'm feeling really stressed about it, I have to drop everything and make something for myself. Example numero uno: a wrap skirt, one of a few new items of clothing I made this weekend. {Norma, my dress form prefers to go topless when wearing wrap skirts in case you're curious}. I've been in the mood for a really bold printed dress or skirt and now I certainly have one. I'm considering going ahead and making a dress out of this print too, just for kicks. Besides, I still have quickly approaching deadlines to distract myself from.

Oh, I've also found that looking for the perfect new pair of yellow shoes is a good distraction from all things pressing, as well.
Currently these are the front-runners:

Have a great day...May is here already. Wow.

More soon, friends

l.

Hello, March!

If you're not feeling excited about the beginning of March, I apologize for my giddiness. It's just that, although the weather isn't that different outside, I know Spring is on the way because the days are getting longer (I love that) and I'm starting to scheme about Spring dresses I want to make { or add a little flare to, like the one above}. Also, last night as dinner was being put on the table, I really felt like eating a huge salad loaded with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and feta. It sounded good then and still does. Must get to the store.

Dustin and I are planning a great trip that begins in a couple of days. We're heading down South to see friends and get out into nature a bit {boy, could we use it}. I'm not sure if I'll be posting again until next week...maybe one more before I go...

more soon, friends
l.