Sew La Ti Embroidery [Search results for love

  • Pink wages Twitter war with 'cruel' Selena Gomez over use of painted horse in new music video

    Pink wages Twitter war with 'cruel' Selena Gomez over use of painted horse in new music video
    By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
    ©Controversial: Selena Gomez filmed scenes from her new music video I Love You Like A Love Song alongside a pink horse on the beach in Malibu, California, yesterday
    Disney sweetheart Selena Gomez has come under fire for painting a horse pink for her latest video shoot.
    The 18-year-old was spotted filming a clip for her new single I Love You Like A Love Song on Malibu yesterday with a brightly coloured stead.
    But she quickly attracted criticism from another pop star - Pink.
    The outspoken Stupid Girls singer, who is a PETA ( People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) supporter, lashed out at the teen star on Twitter.
    ©Shall we dance: In another scene, the Disney star frolicked on the sand in a ball gown with a love interest
    Pink, who has over 4 million followers on the social networking site, tweeted: 'If there are any animal activists around Malibu-at Leo Cabrillo State beach, there are horses being painted for a stupid music video. Shame.'
    'Artists should be more aware and responsible for their actions,' she continued.
    After hoards of Selena fans then defended their idol, Pink posted a further message standing by her opinions.
    'Whether u r a fan of mine or whomEVER'S, I won't stop speaking out about animal cruelty.'
    'I've taken responsibility in the past, so should she.'
    ©On her high horse: Pink took to her Twitter to criticise the Disney star
    However a representative for the record company insists that no animals were harmed during filming.
    'It was important to the Production Company, Record Label and Ms. Gomez that no animals were harmed and all proper precautions were taken,' Gomez's spokesperson said in a statement to People magazine.
    'A non toxic, vegetable based powder paint was applied via an airbrush and removed with water. An official from the Humane Society was on set supervising.'
    Selena filmed a fanciful scenes while on location.
    Wearing a flowing strapless floor-length gown and with her dark hair worn long and straight, the former Disney star danced in the surf with a handsome male love interest.
    Selena has been hard at work on her new album, When The Sun Goes Down, which comes out next week.
    source: dailymail

    VIA Pink wages Twitter war with 'cruel' Selena Gomez over use of painted horse in new music video

  • Green Mile actor Doug Anthony Hutchison, 51, marries aspiring country music singer, 16, in Las Vegas

    Green Mile actor Doug Anthony Hutchison, 51, marries aspiring country music singer, 16, in Las Vegas
    By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
    ©Extreme age gap: Green Mile star Doug Anthony Hutchison, 51, and 16-year-old Courtney Alexis Stodden were married in Las Vegas last month
    They say age is only a number when it comes to love - just ask Green Mile star Doug Anthony Hutchison and his new bride.
    The 51-year-old actor has married aspiring country singer Courtney Alexis Stodden, who is 16.
    The pair married in Las Vegas last month and Hutchison proudly posted a picture of himself and the former beauty queen on his website this week.
    ©Wannabe: Courtney Stodden in a music video posted on YouTube called Don't Put It On Me
    He wrote: 'Doug Anthony Hutchison and Courtney Alexis Stodden became husband and wife on Friday May 20th, 2011, at 12 pm in The Little Chapel of Flowers in Las Vegas, Nevada.
    'Mr and Mrs Hutchison live together happily ensconced in their Hollywood Hills home with their lil' pups, Everette and Tuna.'
    Since the wedding the TV star and his teenage bride have been forced to defend their decision.
    'We're aware that our vast age difference is extremely controversial,' the couple told E! Online.
    'But we're very much in love and want to get the message out there that true love can be ageless.'
    The legal age for marriage in Las Vegas is 18, however with parental consent it drops to 16.
    ©Famous role: Hutchison is best known for playing prison guard Percy Wetmore in the film adaptation of Stephen King's The Green Mile, for which he received critical acclaim
    Courtney's mother Krista Stodden told RadarOnline.com: 'We are totally supportive of this marriage. Doug is a wonderful man and we love him.'
    She defended her daughter's decision, insisting that she is a 'good Christian girl'.
    Mrs Stodden said: 'They are very much in love and we are so supportive of this.
    'Courtney was a virgin when she married Doug. She is a good Christian girl.'
    Looking well beyond 16, it appears that Courtney has possibly gone under the knife to obtain her more 'mature' looks, but her mother denies this.
    She said: 'She is a beautiful girl. She has real breasts, real lips, she's not plastic.'
    source: dailymail

    VIA Green Mile actor Doug Anthony Hutchison, 51, marries aspiring country music singer, 16, in Las Vegas

  • thrifting, fabric, and a new bag

    thrifting, fabric, and a new bag
    Sewing I continue to go thrifting on Mondays and I keep finding awesome things. Yesterday it was a never been used vintage towel and the cutest tablecloth. I got all excited when I saw the tablecloth, I love the big flowers and the colors.

    SewingHere are some recent fabric purchases. I snatched up some of Anna Maria Horner's innocent crush, I love, love, love the star burst print. Those bird cages are from JoAnn's.
    I have been having a crush on gingham lately and found the grey and tangerine colors and had to have it.

    SewingI was near IKEA yesterday and had a bit of extra time so I went in to check out the fabrics and found this wood grain fabric, and some cute placemats to repurpose.


    Sewing
    I was excited and made up a couple bags like this with the placemats last night.
    They are kinda funky and I love it. The back of the bag is the same stripe as the handle. I originally was going to leave it kinda plain, and then decided it needed a little embellishment, so I made a flower pin to put on it.
    Now, I am off to cut out new bags as I have aquired a new pile of upholstery fabrics (for free I might add!) And I am so happy to have my sewing mojo back!



  • Tom Andersen talks about horror, 3D & pissing Hollywood off

    Tom Andersen talks about horror, 3D & pissing Hollywood off

    Trick ‘R Treat

    Trick ‘R Treat (movie poster)

    Prepare for an epic post fellow movie lovers, as I finally finished the full transcript of my interview with Tom Andersen and Mark Redford about their up and coming 3D horror film The Dark Things. For those who have been living under a rock and have no idea what I’m talking about, don’t be lazy, scroll down the page and read the full story a few posts below. Anywho, as I eluded to last week, the interview is extremely interesting and Farmer in particular shared some awesome insights on Hollywood, modern horror films and 3D technology. Enjoy and stay tuned for more The Dark Things updates.

    Jane Storm: So now that you’re here, what have you guys been doing so far? Have you been busy scouting locations?
    Tom Andersen: Yes, we’ve already had a meeting with Warner Roadshow Studios and talked about the different places we can film and what Queensland has to offer, which is obviously a lot. We’ve been very happy with that.

    Jane Storm: So you’re definitely coming to shoot here?
    Tom Andersen: Yes, definitely.

    Jane Storm: Cool!
    Tom Andersen: We’ve been giving Todd a quick, rushed Australian education.

    Jane Storm: Have they been getting you hooked on Tim Tams and Vegemite yet? Tom Andersen: Oh, we’ve got him hooked on Tim Tams, but he’s not a fan of Vegemite.
    Mark Redford: The Tim Tams are fine, I have no problem with Tim Tams, but Vegemite…
    Tom Andersen: But he needed to do that to experience what we go through (laughs).

    Jane Storm: And you will be shooting the film primarily at Warner Roadshow Studios?
    Tom Andersen: Yes and on locations throughout the coast.

    Jane Storm: When are you planning to start filming?
    Tom Andersen: The start of the year, definitely next year.

    Jane Storm: Great, I’m just trying to suss that out so I can lurk on set everyday. So, the storyline, it’s about Aboriginal legends that come to life? Have you started writing the script already?
    Mark Redford: I started the outline for this, then decided it would be better to just come here and dive in, meet the people, see the locations and look at pubs. I can write pretending to be an Aussie, but I need to come here to experience it. We have consultants that we’re going to meet with. It’s been quite fun.

    Jane Storm: What kind of research have you had to do so far?
    Mark Redford: Just researching…even film is different. Watching your films compared to our films, they’re different. So, watching films and what I like to do the most is just people watch. While that sounds boring, it’s actually fascinating because everything is different, everyone is different; the way you drive, the way you think. It's really quite fun because I've never done anything like this. At the end of the day it will all come down to the story, it will all come down to the characters. I grew up reading Stephen King and he was great at taking ordinary people and dropping them into extraordinary situations and that's exactly what I'm going to do.

    Jane Storm: Right. As far as Aboriginal legends and Aboriginal culture goes, have you got some experts and consultants who are helping with the projects?
    Tom Andersen: Marcus Waters, he’s a screenwriter and teacher at Griffith University here. We’re actually meeting him today and tomorrow and going over a bunch of stuff.

    Jane Storm: What has the support been like from places like Screen Queensland and Screen Australia?
    Tom Andersen: Everyone has been great and very supportive. You know, film’s not so hot here right now, so they’re excited to be getting a film over here. Everyone has been great, which is a lot different from the states.

    Jane Storm: Why do you think that is?
    Tom Andersen: It helps that I’m Australian too, us Aussies love to back each other. Another thing is I’m bringing home a good story with top Hollywood people. And it’s different, with all the remakes and sequels, it’s different. Everyone is excited to have a breath of fresh air.

    Jane Storm: What made you decide to shoot the film specifically here?
    Tom Andersen: It's an Australian story about Aboriginals; it's not going to work in Canada.

    Jane Storm: No, I meant why on the Gold Coast, out of the whole of Australia?
    Tom Andersen: Because I'm from here, I love it here. And the town that the story is set, it’s on the beach and I love Queensland. I want it here.

    Jane Storm: Did the facilities help drawing you here? I know the studios have quite amazing capabilities. James Cameron’s Sanctum just wrapped filming here and the Narnia entry.
    Tom Andersen: We’ve already had photos sent to us of different locations we’ve fallen in love with. There are some cool areas along the beach and we had some photos sent to us this morning and we saw that and were like `holy hell, that’s perfect’.

    Jane Storm: With the cast, have you got that picked out and underway?
    Mark Redford: No, we just have a wish list.
    Tom Andersen: We’re just going to wait on that right now. We would like to cast Australians, established Australians.
    Mark Redford: I would like to do another nude scene but other than that…

    Jane Storm: (Laughs) What’s the budget?
    Tom Andersen: Around $25 million. This is mainly a research trip, give Todd an education, get our feelers down and meet our producer. We have Mike Lake on board so we’ll be having a chat with him. We’re just flying our soldiers in and getting them ready to go.

    Jane Storm: Now Todd, you were one of the key people behind trying to get Halloween 3D up and running and you worked on My Bloody Valentine, which was my first 3D experience and one I must say I’m a huge fan of. What is it about 3D that lends itself so well to the horror genre?
    Mark Redford: I like it for a number of reasons; I like the rollercoaster aspect of it. There's a couple of ways to do 3D; there's the gimmicky, in-your-face way, which we were not afraid of in My Bloody Valentine. There’s also the Avatar version, which is the more voyeuristic, immersion-type where you are sucked in. But the truth is, you’re going to get that anyway with today’s 3D and you saw it yourself with Valentine and other 3D movies that you see, you’re literally inside. But with a horror movie, you’re even closer to the scares and the action. So I like that, the risk is that because we had a lot of success with Valentine and there’s been a lot of success with other movies, because of that everyone jumped on the 3D bandwagon and the problem is a lot of 3D has been rushed with the conversion process and a lot of the stories. I think at the end of the day it still has to be about the story, it still has to be about telling that story and you have to shoot good 3D. We will be shooting everything in 3D, we won’t be converting. We will be doing everything we did with Valentine and Drive Angry. I think as a result of that, especially here with all the sweeping vistas and the land, it’s going to look quite remarkable.
    Tom Andersen: It’s a tool to telling a good story. There are a lot of crappy stories that are hoping to get by on their 3D and it’s a marketing gimmick. And it is, it’s a good marketing ploy for sure, but we’re using it as another tool to tell a really cool story.

    Jane Storm: You guys have an awesome crew on board with the producers, composers, concept artists, is this a very exciting process, for it to be so early on and have such a great team already?
    Tom Andersen: Exactly, that’s why I did it because I knew to pull this off I had to have the best around me. And I’m in Hollywood with the best so it was just a matter of pull. Everyone realises it’s something unique and who doesn’t want to come to Australia and make a movie, right? `Come to paradise with really cool people, really beautiful beaches!’ That was my lure and then it was just about building a good team. I think it’s like building a house and my foundation is strong, so you’ve just got to keep moving up.

    Jane Storm: Have you made any decisions about the director yet?
    Tom Andersen: We want Patrick Lussier.

    Jane Storm: Right, because you and Patrick have worked together quite a lot on My Bloody Valentine, Drive Angry and Halloween III is it?
    Mark Redford: Yeah. Patrick and I will write it together and depending on how the system works down here and what we can bring and what we can't...
    Tom Andersen: -because we’re going after the 40% (producer) offset.

    Jane Storm: Oh, that explains the caution; they can be really dicky with that.
    Mark Redford: It will also depend on his schedule in the states because he is working on Drive Angry to the end of the year and then there’s another project we may end up working on which won’t affect me for this, but it might affect him.
    Tom Andersen: A couple of things, he’s my first choice for a lot of reasons; he's an amazing editor, an amazing director and in 3D he’s very experienced. You want the best.

    Jane Storm: With the general story idea, what was the appeal with…well, you haven’t gone for a standard slasher flick. Instead you’ve gone with the whole mythical and supernatural take?
    Tom Andersen: Because it hasn’t been done before.

    Jane Storm: It hasn’t?
    Tom Andersen: It’s original. I’m very picky about movies and I’m very in tune with audiences and that’s why Paranormal Activity did well because everyone wants something different. It’s just the same stuff repetitive, sequels and presequels, and this is different. It hasn’t been done before. Then I looked at the 3D aspect of seeing Aboriginal culture in 3D and how amazing would that be? There’s a lot of people that say `oh wow, you’re from Australia, I would so love to go there’ and they’re never going to get here so now I’m brining Australia to them. In 3D. So, it will do well just for that appeal alone and then everyone loves to be scared.

    Jane Storm: And it has so much potential too, the horror twist on Aboriginal legends hasn’t really been done. Well, I guess Prey but that was terrible. So, it hasn’t been done well yet.
    Tom Andersen: Yeah, and we were saying Australian films have a very sort of independent feel and as far as Australian stories go, this is going to be very different. It’s going to be structured very different.

    Jane Storm: Now this is more of a general question, but what is the key to writing a decent horror film?
    Mark Redford: I think at the end of the day it’s about…I’m still scared of everything, which helps, and for me it’s always been about taking everyday life and throwing a twist into it. Certainly we did it with My Bloody Valentine. You take these ordinary people and you put them in a situation where the audience can relate to them and I think if you can do that…that’s another reason Paranormal Activity worked so well because you watch the movie and think `what if that was me?’ So, as long as the characters are first, as long as they’re relatable, they can be as unique on screen as they can in a person. I started in the horror genre because when I started, that’s what you did, that was how you broke into the business. So, back then it was just Miramax and New Line, those guys making horror movies and then Scream came out and that kind of blew the lid off everything and we were all a part of it. Now everybody has a genre department and what ended up happening is the same thing that I think will end up happening with 3D; a lot of people were making horror and some of them were horrible. I think as long as you put the characters first, as long as you put the story first, as long as you keep the momentum of the story, then the rest is about creating situations that scare you as a writer.

    Jane Storm: Both of you seem like really big fans of the horror genre. What is it about it that you love so much?
    Tom Andersen: I love the rollercoaster ride. You go to the movies and you want a thrill, you want to leave going `wow’ and that’s what I like about it. You know, I don’t like torture, gore, blood and guts, I don’t want to look at that. I want a rollercoaster ride where I’m scared and where you’re trying to solve it…like The Sixth Sense. I think that was perfect. I loved that twist and you think you have it figured out, but you can watch that movie three or four times and always see something different. There’s suspense, I love that about it. That’s what I want for this, rather than `oh look, someone’s dead and their guts is everywhere’. Obviously that will be in there, but there will be a reason, not just insanity. Mark Redford: I just like scaring people.

    Jane Storm: (Laughs) Out of all your projects Todd, what would you say is a favourite of yours? Which is your baby?
    Mark Redford: At this point, Drive Angry, which will come out 19th of February, we just wrapped it. The reason I like it so much is because what we wrote is what we were able to shoot. You know, Jason X changed a little, The Messengers changed a little, the others have changed, but Drive Angry didn’t. So we’re hoping for the same thing here, we write this and then we can go shoot.

    Jane Storm: I saw the bloody car from Drive Angry that you posted on your blog, it looks awesome.
    Mark Redford: Yeah, that was Gary (J. Tunnicliffe), the dude is just remarkable. He’s killed me more than anyone else and he’s really the only one I would want to.

    Jane Storm: So what’s the rest of the schedule like for you guys? What’s the next step when you go back?
    Mark Redford: I dive in and start making the magic.
    *my phone starts ringing* Mark Redford: Nice ring tone.
    Jane Storm: Thanks, nothing like a bit of Wu Tang Clan (Kill Bill Theme). Sorry about that. Okay, so the next question I have to ask you is, please don’t be offended, but a friend of mine wanted me to ask you what shrooms were you on when you put Jason in space? Mark Redford: The big ones, the big yellow ones with the hairs. (Laughs) Okay, it’s funny because Michael De Luca was running New Line at the time, the guy who green lit Jason X, and he read the script and loved the script. So, that’s what we went in and pitched; Alien and Aliens, a combination of the two movies so that you take those actors and the aliens and you pull those out and then you have Jason with a real crew, ghetto, raw, no slapstick in-your-face jokes. It was just a very dirty movie, dark and dirty. Then Scream came out and suddenly everyone wanted everything to be tongue-in-cheek, so things changed as a result. But it’s funny now because De Luca is producing Drive Angry and what we like about him is he was like `Jason X was a great script, what happened?’ Now a lot of people still love Jason X, a lot of people hate it, my excuse is, well, I wrote what I wanted and maybe that didn’t get made, but it bought me an Audi. But I loved Alien and I love Aliens, and I still think that someone will take another scary movie into space.

    Jane Storm: When you say take another scary movie into space, do you mean the slasher genre?
    Mark Redford: Yes, I don’t understand why a slasher can’t…I mean, I know slashers have gone into space and I know one can, why couldn’t it? It’s all about production value and it’s all about story, and so far those two have not made it into space from some sort of slashers point of view. It’s just a matter of time. If Kevin (Williamson) had written Scream in space it would have worked, that was fantastic. They better do a good job on Scream 4, I see him tweet about it all the time. You following him?
    Jane Storm: Yeah, I was so pissed off last fortnight when he was doing a give away of signed posters and our work computers are so slow that even though I had the right answers, I would miss out because it wouldn’t update before all the crazy Americans who answered a second after. Mark Redford: I saw it way too late, otherwise I would have tried to.

    Jane Storm: (Laughs) Oh come on, you would be able to get a poster from him, surely?
    Mark Redford: No, he wouldn’t give me a free poster. He’s honestly a really nice guy though.

    Jane Storm: Finally, this is a more general question, but what are some of your favourite films? Whether that’s horror or whatever?
    Tom Andersen: The classic ones like Jaws, Alien, The Sixth Sense and all of the different elements in those. I like the hunt, the twists, you think you know what’s going on but you don’t. What I like is that people could know what’s going on, and they’re given the signs, but they see what they want to see.
    Mark Redford: Oddly enough some of the same movies; Alien and Aliens, Jaws was the first movie that scared the crap out of me, The Exorcist I saw next and both of those movies influenced me, and Star Wars on a how to tell a story level, especially The Empire Strikes Back, those were, granted, big fantasy movies but as far as the mythology and linear story structure, those were pretty incredible. It was Quentin Tarantino that taught me to actually break the rules a little bit and go outside the Hollywood system, write outside the Hollywood system, and create characters that were interesting and didn’t fall into the norm. I don’t have a favourite movie, I get asked all the time, but it’s literally a lot of great movies.

    Jane Storm: What else do you have to do before you can get back here and film?
    Tom Andersen: We’ve learnt a lot on this trip. Now we’ve got to get the script down and tight, we want to make sure it’s good and not rush that because you only get one shot. Then just hit it.

    Jane Storm: Fantastic, well that’s pretty much everything I have to ask you guys. If you don’t mind we’ll head out and get the pic taken soon?
    Tom Andersen: Yeah sure.
    Mark Redford: I sent you a really creepy tweet when you arrived.

    Jane Storm: (Laughs) Oh really? Awesome.
    Mark Redford: I wrote `I’m looking at you right now’.

    Jane Storm: (Laughs) I love it!
    Mark Redford: That’s creepy, it was when you were walking in right then.

    Jane Storm: I love how you are so interactive with your fans online and getting content out there.
    Mark Redford: Well, it has got me into trouble. Hollywood doesn’t want you to tell the things that I sometimes tell. They certainly didn’t want me telling the Halloween 3D story. It didn’t get me into trouble, they just didn’t like it. But there’s nothing they can do about it.

    Jane Storm: It probably got you a lot of respect from people as well.
    Mark Redford: I think from the fan base perhaps.

    Jane Storm: The Bloody Disgusting guys were on to it.
    Mark Redford: Yeah, but they always shoot it straight anyway and that’s why I like them. That’s why I like Brad and those guys. I don’t like rude behaviour, even from a studio.

    Jane Storm: Yeah, I’m a big fan of Bloody Disgusting because they cover everything. They don’t just look at the big, commercial horror films, but they give time to the independent, small-budget and foreign language stuff that you wouldn’t know about otherwise.
    Mark Redford: I trust those guys because if I know they like something I know that it’s worth my time. Everybody’s opinion is different, but I trust their judgment.

    Tom Andersen talks about horror, 3D & pissing Hollywood off, 9 out of 10 (based on 452 votes)

    VIA Tom Andersen talks about horror, 3D & pissing Hollywood off

  • No Makeup Week! (I mean, they like me with makeup, too. Oh, you know what I mean...)

     No Makeup Week! (I mean, they like me with makeup, too. Oh, you know what I mean...)

    No Makeup Week: Mint Julep Mask

    No Makeup Week: Mint Julep Mask

    Hey everyone! This is just a quick post to let you know what I have planned for this upcoming week. I'm going to be going away from Thursday until Saturday with my boyfriend and his family so I won't be posting those days. Because of this, I hope to be able to post a few times in the next few days!

    In high school, like many teenagers going through puberty, I was ashamed of my skin. One day it would be oily, the next day it would be dry - and there was always acne to deal with! Over the years I've tried many products and skincare routines, with varying success. In high school I desperately tried to cover up my natural skin with layers of makeup. Liquids, powders, blushes - I used everything I could!

    While I love what makeup can do to enhance an appearance, in the past two years I've realized that I love my natural beauty, too. I think going to college made me feel a lot more comfortable about going out without "putting my face on," because I was surrounded by the same people at all hours of the day. These kids have seen me when I wake up in the morning, when I'm in class, and before I go to sleep. They have seen me when I'm sick, when I'm just getting back from the gym, and even when I've gotten caught in a downpour running back from the library.

    And They Like Me — Without Makeup!

    What I'm trying to say is: I've gained a lot of confidence in myself in the past two years, and I don't feel the need to try to cover up anything with makeup. Yes, I love getting dolled up when I'm going to a party or going out on a date with my boyfriend, but other than that, I try to wear as little makeup as possible. Most days now I will only wear a brush of Physicians Formula pressed powder, a sweep of clear mascara on my lashes, and lots of lip balm.

    Which brings me to this week. I've decided that, starting today, I want to go a whole week without wearing any makeup. No powder, no mascara (colored or clear). The only things I'll allow on my face are cleansers, moisturizer, and sunscreen. I don't think this will be too difficult to do, especially considering that I will be on an island in the Adirondacks from Thursday through Saturday. I think it will be an interesting experiment, to concentrate on my skin and really learn to appreciate it as it is.

    A Week Without Makeup?

    Last year Rachel Rabbit White, a popular blogger and writer, pledged to not wear makeup for an entire week. Over 300 people took the challenge with her. You can read about that experience in this Huffington Post interview here. White brings up a lot of very interesting points about makeup in society today, so it's definitely a must-read.

    I'll be posting photos this week, along with any findings or discoveries. Any of you brave enough to try this, too? I'd love to hear your stories or share links on my blog to your own posts! Drop me a comment or send me an email!

    VIA No Makeup Week! (I mean, they like me with makeup, too. Oh, you know what I mean...)

  • Sew and tell

    Sew and tell
    Sewing I'm joining in on Amy's sew and tell this week! I am always sewing something :)
    Here are some of the things I have been working on this week. Above are some Bird Cage Christmas ornaments, I love these, I made some for myself last year. The backs of them are vintage linens, and besides the cream fronts, the fabric for these came out of my scrap bag, which I love, I need to use up those scraps!

    Sewing I have been slowly working on a quilt for my youngest Sage. I had my kids pick out their fabrics from my stash months and months ago for their new quilts. I feel bad it has taken me this long, but what do you do? I especially feel bad because Sage (who is 5) has never had a bed sized quilt of her own. What kind of a Mom am I? :) Stay tuned for the finished quilt though, I love, love all the fabrics each of my girls picked out, they are going to be so cute.

    SewingI also finished a batch of girls purses. That mushroom one is my fave. I am getting ready for all my holiday shows coming up. They start up next weekend!

  • My Bag of Tricks

    My Bag of Tricks
    seving
    I love a surprise....I love a surprise visit, a surprise package in the mail, and i really love a surprise sale! But I don't like a sewing surprise. Because that can never be good! But this time i was thrilled with a sewing surprise. It made me smile. It was so unexpected!
    sevingI was making this bag in fact with a surprise sale on that brown linen...and the circles are re-purposed dinner napkins that i got at goodwill(calling them reused makes it sound like they were dirty, but no they were brand new). How cool is that? I was not using a pattern. I just started cutting and got all my pieces sewn together when i got my surprise....it is reversible!! It was a total accident. I love it when stuff like that happens.sevingWhen you reverse it you have this very substantial pocket now on the inside. Yeah!! So, Colleen, is about this size good?
    sevingNow i must give props to my third bag model of the week. I had to put this last picture in because he was now modeling only the way a three year old does. He was tired of standing so nice, and taking pretty pictures....here he was about to pitch it right into the grass!
  • Fabric Madness

    Fabric Madness
    seving
    Oh fabric heaven!! There was a fantastic quilt shop by my sisters house, and i could not wait to go. When we walked in i was blown away by the selection and how beautiful everything was. Some have a purpose and others just looked good together and some i got for no other reason than i loved them.
    sevingSince it was vacation...Chris was very sweet to let me get whatever struck my fancy. Now if i had really bought everything, in the quantity i would have wanted i just might have broken the bank. But i practiced a little restraint. A little! Ok a very little!
    sevingThese batiks are destined for a quilt idea Avery had. I hope to get to work on that one first. About 1 year ago she dictated to me a idea she had for a dolphin quilt, and i have been scared of it ever since. But when Colleen and i saw these fabrics we laid it all out on the floor and the dolphin quilt came together. See the ones on the left..they are for the rocks, water and sky. I love that these look like "sea trees" as avery calls them. And the others are for the applique parts.
    seving
    these are all from IKEA. I love that you can get fabrics there. They are heavier weight but might someday have a use. I have that kids fabric with hippos in green also. It is so bright and cute.
    seving
    Once in awhile i am lucky enough to find a sale on curtains like these ones above. Clearance is great.
    seving
    i love these...especially the grey and the green together. I love how "vintagey" they look.


    seving
    And this one...this was the reason i was going to that store. This beautiful cloud print by Kaffe Fassett. I don't know what i am going to do with it. Maybe a little quilt with these other two colors. i heart fabric.
    Posted by Picasa
  • God Bless America! Green Mile actor Doug Hutchison's 16-year-old bride is 'a good Christian girl,' insist her parents as new saucy photos emerge

    God Bless America! Green Mile actor Doug Hutchison's 16-year-old bride is 'a good Christian girl,' insist her parents as new saucy photos emerge
    By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
    ©Posing: Green Mile star Doug Hutchison's bride Courtney Stodden, who claims to be 16, with an American flag wrapped around her in a photo from her website
    Bride's father is four years YOUNGER than groom
    Her mother insists she is a good Christian girl.
    But these pictures of Green Mile star Doug Hutchison's 16-year-old bride, Courtney Alexis Stodden, would seem to suggest she does have a naughtier side.
    The aspiring model and singer is seen here striking a series of lascivious poses for the camera.
    ©Bright: The teen, who is an aspiring singer, pictured here in a shocking pink bikini
    In one she is pictured on a beach with just an American flag wrapped around her while in another she poses in a shocking pink bikini.
    Courtney married 51-year-old Hutchison last month in a Las Vegas ceremony.
    And while many parents may be horrified at the dramatic age gap, Courtney's mother and father have actually given it all their backing.
    RadarOnline today posted a copy of the marriage certificate, which details how the nuptials took place on May 19.
    The service was held at the Chapel Of The Flowers and was officiated by Reverend Douglas Gilbert, with Courtney's mother Krista acting as a witness.
    With Courtney looking older than her 16 years, many have questioned her age, although the webside claims the documents prove she will be turning 17 on August 29.
    ©Extreme age gap: Hutchison, 51, and Courtney were married in Las Vegas last month
    Courtney's father, Alex Stodden, who at 47 is four years younger that his son-in-law, and her mother Krista even gushed about the new addition to the family.
    'Every father can only pray to have such a man behind their daughter,' he told Radaronline. 'Doug is the nicest man I’ve ever met in my life.'
    He says that Courtney is an intelligent girl and he has no concerns about her decision.
    'Courtney is one of the most level headed girls out there and I’m not just saying that because she’s my daughter,' he said.
    Yesterday Courtney's mother Krista also told RadarOnline.com: 'We are totally supportive of this marriage. Doug is a wonderful man and we love him.'
    She defended her daughter's decision, insisting that she is a 'good Christian girl'.
    Mrs Stodden said: 'They are very much in love and we are so supportive of this.
    ©Preening: Courtney's mother insists her daughter is a 'good Christian girl' and has not had plastic surgery
    'Courtney was a virgin when she married Doug. She is a good Christian girl.'
    Looking well beyond 16, it appears that Courtney has possibly gone under the knife to obtain her more 'mature' looks, but her mother denies this.
    She said: 'She is a beautiful girl. She has real breasts, real lips, she's not plastic.'
    ©Controversial: Since the nuptials, the TV star and his teenage bride have been forced to defend their decision
    Mr and Mrs. Stodden are also about to pay the newlyweds a visit, by travelling to to Los Angeles, this week.
    Courtney and Doug, who have a whopping 35 year age gap, married in Las Vegas last month and Doug proudly posted a picture of himself and the former beauty queen on his website this week.
    He wrote: 'Doug Anthony Hutchison and Courtney Alexis Stodden became husband and wife on Friday May 20th, 2011, at 12 pm in The Little Chapel of Flowers in Las Vegas, Nevada.
    ©It's all good: Her father Alex Stodden, who at 47 is four years younger that his son-in-law, has gushed about the new addition to the family
    'Mr and Mrs Hutchison live together happily ensconced in their Hollywood Hills home with their lil' pups, Everette and Tuna.'
    Since the wedding, the TV star and his teenage bride have been forced to defend their decision.
    'We're aware that our vast age difference is extremely controversial,' the couple told E! Online.
    'But we're very much in love and want to get the message out there that true love can be ageless.'
    The legal age for marriage in Las Vegas is 18, however with parental consent it drops to 16.
    ©Wannabe: Courtney Stodden in a music video posted on YouTube called Don't Put It On Me
    Hutchison is best know for his role as prison guard Percy Wetmore in the film adaptation of Stephen King's The Green Mile, for which he received critical acclaim.
    He later went on to play supporting roles in films such as Shaft and Bait, I Am Sam, and The Salton Sea.
    Currently, he is producing Vampire Killers, described as 'a show around the hunt for a queen vampire and her 13 coven members by an elite group of vampire hunters'.
    Courtney is an aspiring country music singer, who, judging by her website, appears to be managed by her new husband, who is listed as the primary contact person for all her business affairs
    ©Hutchison is best know for his role as prison guard Percy Wetmore in the film The Green Mile
    On her site she describes herself as a 'recording artist, singer/songwriter, actress and model who currently resides in Ocean Shores, Washington, as well as Hollywood, California'.
    The teenager started her career early, signing with a modelling agency at the age of 12.
    She was 15 when she entered Donald Trump's Miss Universe Organisation, becoming Miss Ocean Shores, Washington, and going on to represent her city in the Miss Washington USA Pageant.

    source: dailymail

    VIA God Bless America! Green Mile actor Doug Hutchison's 16-year-old bride is 'a good Christian girl,' insist her parents as new saucy photos emerge

  • Two Lovers, The Hangover, Bruno, Harry Potter, Drag Me To Hell, and My Sisters Keeper

    Two Lovers, The Hangover, Bruno, Harry Potter, Drag Me To Hell, and My Sisters Keeper

    Ah I don’t know what has gotten into me lately – I have been blogging like a mad woman! At least two posts a day for the past weekish. There are stints when I find little to no movie news or reviews that interest me but lately... lately there has been tonnes. Dawn French tonnes. If there hasn’t been a new cinema-plex opening or a new movie worth reviewing, then there’s hordes of news which interests me and I want to write about it. I’m hoping this post will satisfy my insatiable urge to write blog posts at the moment and I intend to have at least a day break after this. But seriously, I just HAD to give you the run down on some up and coming new releases. I had a YouTube binge last night and caught up on a bunch of trailers I hadn’t seen and rewatched some I had. Anywho, here’s my selection of MUST SEE movies for the months of June and July.

    Two Lovers

    Two Lovers

    James Gray, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Nay, let me count the films; Little Odessa (digged), The Yards (blew my freakin' mind), We Own The Night (adored). Now we have his latest offering and Joaquin Phoenix’s alleged last foray in to acting, Two Lovers. The theme of love and the dark comedic elements are new features in a Gray film which has previously dealt with family relations and crime. However, Two Lovers does look like a splendid adult-drama with a juicy cast. It was released in Australia last week but won’t be screening on the Gold Coast until this Thursday (if we’re lucky).

    The Hangover

    The Hangover

    Looks like this little gem from the director of Old School is shaping up to be the surprise comedy hit of the year, but it’s still early days. The trailer is hilarious and in the US it opened to a $46 – $53 million weekend ahead of the Will Ferrell blockbuster Land of the Lost. The critics are frothing for The Hangover too with the almighty Empire giving it four stars. Pretty impressive for a comedy-formula that seems tired. Apparently one of the many benefits here is instead of covering the dramas of a bachelor party, The Hangover starts once the party is over and the three mates have lost the groom (and their memories). Sounds a like a frat-pack version of Memento but the trailer is very appealing, plus Bradley Cooper is great in pretty much anything he’s in.

    Bruno

    Bruno

    Try and ignore the controversy if you can, but you simply cannot ignore the brilliance of the Bruno trailer. There are few times I have laughed so hard during a trailer. I enjoyed Borat but from the snippets of Bruno I’ve seen, I think Sacha Boren Cohen’s latest character will trump him. The best recommendation I can give this movie is the trailer, I particularly love the African American scenes.

    Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

    Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

    Everytime I watch this trailer I get goosebumps. Whether that's because the trailer is actually good or because I'm a massive fan of the books, it's hard to know. I do know this, this movie begins to build towards the Harry Potter series climax which will come to life on screen in the from of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (to be released six months apart respectively). I’ve never been a huge fan of the films but the last two have certainly improved my expectations dramatically and this looks Potteriffic.

    Drag Me To Hell

    Drag Me To Hell

    Easily the film I’m most excited about on this list. Long before director Sam Raimi did the Spiderman films he dominated the horror genre with his Evil Dead series (among others). Apparently Drag Me To Hell is a hilarious and horrific return to form for one of the genre’s heroes. It premiered at Cannes and since then has got rave reviews from every Tom Dick and Harry film critic. Horror is one of my favourite genres but recently there have been only a handful of decent films. Going off the trailer, Drag Me To Hell looks like an awesome ride and I can’t wait to be genuinely scared at the movies again. Its been too long.

    My Sisters Keeper

    My Sisters Keeper

    I know, it’s hard to get past the vomit-inducing movie poster complete with Abigail Breslin and Cameron Diaz looking cute. My Sister’s Keeper has been a long awaited adaptation of Jodi Piccoult’s best selling novel. I heard great things about the book and was sincerely disappointed upon finishing it. The book was drawn out, self-indulgent and overly soppy. To my surprise, the trailer looks like its done a much better job of compacting the themes and storyline of the novel. Cameron Diaz looks like she’s about deliver a stellar performance but one of the major reasons to see this film has to be Sofia Vassilieva. Here she plays cancer-ridden Kate but most of you would recognise her from tv’s Medium. She’s a superb little actress and I look forward to seeing this movie despite the misleadingly happy poster (when really this is a film about cancer, death and family relations).

    That Land of the Lost shiz is out this Thursday too and as much as I love Will Ferrell, I don’t think I can sit through two hours of him trying to do a Brendan Fraser in Journey to the Centre of the Earth. There’s this other movie you may or may not have heard of, Transformers something? Transformers 2, that’s it. The Bayhem hits screens on June 24 which is, like, so soon for the fanboys patiently waiting. Ew.

    p.s. Mickey Rourke’s turn as Russian baddie Whiplash certainly makes Jack Sparrow look straight as a ruler. This, dear readers, is the latest image off the set of Iron Man 2, the sequel to the Robert Downey Jr hit of `08. Rourke stars as the thorn in Tony Stark’s metallic side for the sequel along with Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer. This is the first look at Rourke as Whiplash and was pointed to off Jon Favreau’s Twitter account. I must say, the get-up is a bit... erm... campe? With Scar-Jo in leather as Black Widow and Rourke rocking the bondage, it seems the sequel will be catering to all fetishes. Bunuel would be proud kinky has gone so mainstream.

    VIA Two Lovers, The Hangover, Bruno, Harry Potter, Drag Me To Hell, and My Sisters Keeper

  • WIP Wednesday....for my honey

    WIP Wednesday....for my honey
    Things have been pretty quiet around the blog, but i am working on projects all the same. 

    I have finished a few small quilts and now have set to work on a twin size for my husband. 


    seving


    I don't know what he is going to think, but I am in L-O-V-E with this one.

    I am hugely inspired by and totally crazy in love with this quilt by Emily at MLE knits, who got the basic directions here.


    seving


    As i make each block i think that this one for sure is my favorite, until i make another and then i love that one even more. I am smitten!

    It is going to take a little time....18 down and about 100 more to go...work will be slow but sure. i manage to squeeze a few in every day.


    seving


    Here is a little layout sneaky peeky!

    Happy WIP Wednesday. Head over to Freshly Pieced and ogle some of the other amazing things getting worked on this week.

      WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced
    Posted by Picasa
  • First finished quilt and other stuff.

    First finished quilt and other stuff.
    Sewing
    I finished, I finished! It just came out of the dryer and I LOVE it!
    My very first all the way finished quilt!
    Sorry, I had to take a picture of it in the shade, it was way too sunny on the wall I like to take pictures on.

    Sewing
    The back is even cute! Now what quilt shall I finish next?
    Maybe my Mod Sampler. I just have to put the outside sashing pieces on it and piece the back for it.

    Sewing
    We weeded, tilled, and planted our garden on Saturday! We timed it perfect, as soon as we got done, it started sprinkling a bit. It might seem really late, but this is Utah people :) I think our last frost date is something like May 15th. I love having a garden even though I still don't really know what I am doing. We planted tomatoes for tomato basil sauce, little tiny orange tomatoes, which are my fave, three different kinds of peppers, beans, cucumbers, basil, thyme, and some marigolds. At the back, we have a row of raspberry bushes that we planted last year that are doing really well, we had a couple die last year after we transplanted them from my parent's, but we had quite a few shoots this year that we moved, hopefully they will work, we should have moved them a couple of months ago. We also have oregano and chives.

    Sewing
    And we have a friend in the garden too. Yesterday we took the kid's to A Night at the Museum, the kids liked it, it was a good show. All in all we had a nice weekend, which was needed, we had a crappy thing happen last week that effects our family in a big way, but we are okay. This is where I should insert that our little family is amazingly blessed because we are, even when crappy situations get thrown at us. Enough of that, on to the happy quilt!

    Sewing
    Today I cut my strips for Dana's quilt along. I'm so glad I chose these fabrics, I love them.
    Now I must go for I have children in need of being picked up from school soon.
    I hope you had a nice Memorial day weekend!

  • Another Fabriholic?

    Another Fabriholic?
    I have begun yet another project! I was trying to hold off on this one because there are so many others to finish, but i could not wait anymore. At thanksgiving my sister brought me a jelly roll of fabric. I think i squealed and bounced i was so excited to have it. It was a wonderful gift of very beautiful fabrics. Although, once i began making the blocks for the specific pattern i had in mind i was afraid this was going to be one of the hardest quilts i have ever made....not because it is complicated but because there are so many varied colors.

    seving
    I would start a block and be sure i was going to hate it but once it all came together i started to love it...this went on block after block. I even called my sister and told her this one was going to be hard....it was going to stretch me as a "quilter" more than any other project ever had. Mostly because i really love the fabric to all match and go, and it did not seem to me that that was happening. As i was nearing the end of these blocks Avery came in and wanted to know what i was working on and what it was for. I showed her the finished stack of blocks....she flipped through them and then asked to take them down to sort through them. I did not see any harm in it. Both of the kids like to play with my fabric.
    seving
    Before very long, the initial piles she had made of the ones she liked and the ones she still had to think about, began to be spread around. After a little she asked me if she could arrange them for me. I balked a little at first because i like the creative control over my quilts but then i caved and let her do what she wanted. I stood back and watched her ponder over it and move squares around just like i do. i could not get the smile off my face, it was wonderful to watch her so confidently go through the creative process. I find this part of the quilt difficult especially in this case because the colors were so varied, but she took it on like a pro and had finished it so fast! Way faster than i ever would have been able to.
    seving
    In the end it turns out that i love it....i think she did a great job. i really could not have done it any better. Of course i could not change it now if i wanted, i think it should be just as she made it. The huge changes in color, i think, really grow on you and look good together. I am proud of her and more than that she was so proud of herself....several times she stood back, admiring her work and said to me, "i feel really proud of myself mom.". That wins me over more than any project ever could. Her confidence is boosted, I got help for a hard project, and she is excited and willing to help me finish it up. This might be a quilt and fabric monster in the making. :o)
    Posted by Picasa
  • Quilt blocks

    Quilt blocks
    Sewing A couple months ago I won a membership to Patchwork Posse (thanks again Becky!)
    One of the things we are doing in the group is a quilt along. I had decided to shop in my stash for this quilt along and I want it to be scrappy and yummy.

    Sewing Last night I decided to do the first two blocks and I am in LOVE with them! I can't wait for the next blocks!
    Did I mention I really, really, really love these?
    I do, I love them.

  • Black Sun of a Gun

     Black Sun of a Gun

    El Rico

    Avelino `El Rico' Lescot

    What happens when a stuntman, actor/director and screenwriter walk into a Gold Coast bar? They come up with the concept for an action fantasy film that is already raising eyebrows in Hollywood no joke. Rene Perrin, Avelino `El Rico' Lescot and Susan Macguillicuddy are the trio behind The Black Sun, which recently took out the Most Ambitious Screenplay award at the 2010 International Action on Film Festival in Los Angeles.

    The locals are hoping the added hype surrounding their screenplay will push the project into production and attract the eye of distributors. Lescot, a Gold Coast-based actor, stuntman and filmmaker who has worked on The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Peter Pan and The Condemned, said The Black Sun incorporates several genres.

    ``It's enchanting and mystical,'' he said.
    ``It's a gypsy, action, adventure, romance, western with a strong supernatural feel that is set in the Pacific Islands, Mexico, China, New Zealand and here.
    ``At the moment the film industry needs something different but financially manageable and that's The Black Sun.''

    The film follows a warrior's worldwide journey on the Matariki boat, which Lescot said is `like another star of the film'. Lescot and Perrin have an impressive international fanbase thanks to the success of their action film Among Dead Men. It won several awards for best fight choreography and generated considerable profits in DVD sales in Canada, Germany, Thailand, Cambodia, Poland, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Hong Kong. It also grossed several times its $7000 budget in DVD sales through Walmart in the US. Perrin, who has worked as a stunt performer on films such as The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Daybreakers, Nim's Island, Fool's Gold and Ghost Ship, said they wanted to combine their `love of action with a love of romance' in The Black Sun.

    Balancing out the testosterone on the team is screenwriter Susan Macguillicuddy. Despite having worked with the likes of Cate Blanchett, Jessica Alba, Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffiths, Macguillicuddy said working with `the boys' on The Black Sun has been her `most cherished writing experience'.

    ``It's like we each started at one end of the canvas and worked our way to the middle, fine-tuning the parts of the script we liked,'' she said.
    ``It took us about a year and hundreds of meetings but we're happy with the finished product.
    ``We wanted to do something very avant garde with the genre and something new.
    ``Getting the Most Ambitious Screenplay award means we really pushed the genre, which is what we set out to do.''

    International distributors have shown interest in The Black Sun and the trio is currently in the process of looking for investors.

    P.S. Since it is less than two days until the release of Tomorrow, When The War Began I figure it’s time to start getting you all majorly excited. That is, if you aren’t already. Which you should be. Therefore, I’m officially declaring this as Tomorrow, When The War Began day and prepare yourself for a swag of related stories. Starting with the lovely Phoebe Tonkin (below), who plays Fi in the film.I interviewed her at the Queensland premiere last fortnight and the next day over breakfast in Southport. As well as talking about the movie and future projects, all the usual stuff, we broached the big one - Phoebe Tonkin’s favourite movies.

    “I’ve always loved Pretty Woman, that’s probably my favourite. I saw Shutter Island recently which was really good. Princess Bride, oh and Girl Interrupted is also amazing. I love Julia Roberts so anything with her in it really.”
    Black Sun of a Gun, 9 out of 10 (based on 584 votes)

    VIA Black Sun of a Gun

  • Tuesday's Choice...a Fabric Audition

    Tuesday's Choice...a Fabric Audition
    I just can not make up my mind today about what fabric to use for a new project.

     We are getting ready to go on vacation where i obviously will not have my machine to sew with but there is some down time and plenty of car time so i thought maybe hand sewing would be the answer.

    Erin at Why Not Sew recently hand a hand sewing sampler series!!! I knew this was the one for me. It has been calling me.


    seving


    But what fabric do i choose? I auditioned several sets for my husband(he is very indulgent) and he was leaning mostly to the primary colors...not the lavender or greens. Me...I am still not sure.

    However i have these gorgeous bundles of FMF that are just sitting waiting to be used for something amazing. Is this it? Is this that amazing thing?

    What do you think? Do i go for it and use the coveted, most beautiful fabrics? Will i regret it when i find something else i wish i did with them or do i just do it and know that i will love how this sampler is going to turn out(Erin used the FMF so i already have a preview)?


    seving


    What to do!!! What to do???

    seving


    In the meantime....here is something pretty that came in my mail. Don't you love fabric mail? I saw these Coquette charm packs on sale and scooped up a couple. It is very girly fabric...and i love the lavender in it. Who knows what is in store for these.


     Leslie
    Posted by Picasa
  • Quilting Find!!!

    Quilting Find!!!
    sevingIt's gorgeous isn't it? A weekend or so ago i was out with my mom, aunt, sister and Avery. We walked into an antique shop and right away i saw it sitting folded so nicely on a chair at the back of the shop. My heart did a little flip and the palpitations started.
    sevingIt was love at first sight. Hand pieced and sewn...nearly queen size. Amazing in every way.
    sevingI have been dreaming of finding something like this every time i walk through the doors of a second hand or antique shop. I did not buy it right away...but days later i could not get it out of my head so Chris got out of work early and we drove to the shop and made it mine. A special mother's day gift.

    seving
    There was only a little light to take pictures in. I was trying to air it out and get some good pictures. Every time i look at it I see a new flower that i did not see the time before that I love more than the last.
    seving
    There are lots of feed sack and old vintage fabrics. I was told that as best she knew it was made in the 40's or 50's. Right now it is in my bedroom, draped over a quilt rack. I fold it and unfold it in various ways so i can see different fabrics.
    seving
    It must have taken the person who made it forever to make. Look at the binding, scalloped around all the little hexagons, hand sewn and perfectly folded to make little corners at each one.
    seving
    Thanks for indulging all the pictures. My family has already been subjected to folding and unfolding and fabric loving and random giggling because of the sheer thrill of it...even my dad. I probably should not love a thing this much but it sure is saving me some time since i just recently began hand making little hexagons just like these myself.
    Posted by Picasa
  • No Longer a WIP

    No Longer a WIP
    seving
    I was able to take my vintage sheet quilt along with me to my sisters house this past week. I sewed my binding on here at home at the very last minute....so last minute that i finished sewing as we were walking out the door to drive away. Chris and the kids were already in the car. I wanted to have some hand sewing to do while i was there. My kids all but abandon me when we are in VA because their cousins are way more fun than me...so a mom has to have something to do!! I washed it today and put it out in the sun to dry...i love how it smells fresh out of the sun.
    seving
    Many thanks to my little quilt displayers...despite their groaning and complaints that it was too heavy!! Trust me, it isn't! This is the first quilt that i have made that i have actually slept a night under. It is not more than lap size but perfect for a warm night....my feet hang out and stay cool. I love it!!!
    seving
    And, i think i might have mentioned before that i was planning on using it as a picnic blanket but now that it is done i love it so much... I am not sure that i can let it be so used and possibly so dirty!! What am i to do?
    Posted by Picasa
  • Intermediate Pattern For Colette Macaron Dress

    Intermediate Pattern For Colette Macaron Dress

    The feminist

    Oh, hello there. Nice to see you. Notice anything different? Anything intermediate? Yes, that's right. I have successfully completed an intermediate pattern. We're talking darts, facing, curvy sleeves, and bits that match up.

    And, while I'm (obviously) pretty chuffed with myself I can't take all the credit. Colette patterns are just so damn good. I mean they come in book format. They have a glossary. I know I've praised Colette pattern's organised awesomeness before, but it's worth another shout out.

    What I changed?
    I used a single layer of fabric for the sleeves and hemmed them instead of using two-layers as the pattern suggests. I think the curve would have been nicer with two-layers, but I was feeling rebellious. I also used a regular zipper instead of an invisible zipper because apparently I live in the deserted wastelands and dark blue invisible zippers over 5cm are rare, exotic gems.

    What I like?
    Despite my rebellion, I adore the way the sleeves turned out. They're incredibly feminine in how they mimic the bust line. The secret pockets hidden beneath a pleat. We're talking hidden, deep, comfortable pockets that don't change the shape or bulk up the dress. Genius. Someone get Sarai a nobel prize, stat.

    I'm also really happy with the fit of the dress, especially the bodice. As usual, the pattern had to go through some epic changes to fit me properly. I originally cut a 4 in the top and 6 in the bottom (holla for the badonkadonks!), lengthened the bodice 3.5cm (1.4"), took in the waist, adjusted the skirt to match, blah blah blah...

    What I'll do next time?Match the waist band pieces. Ssssh. Just don't look at them.

    So, my verdict is love, love, love and I can't wait to make it again. But, I know you might be wondering... what does my macaron have to do with a field track? Well I was at Uni wearing my dress, so I thought I'd take some photos while out there. And, the reason I was at Uni?

    So I'm a graduate with intermediate sewing skillz. Could I be any happier? No. Probably not. Unless I had a chocolate milkshake. Then my life would be complete.

    Macarons On My Table

    Saying a sewing project is on my table is a bit of a lie. It's really on my floor, with a sleeve on the table, a skirt front over a chair, and a back yoke who-knows-where. But it will come together, with the it being my new, nearly completed Colette Macaron dress. You've probably seen it out in the google-sphere on other talented ladies (or men?). I'm using the same japanese cotton from my Welcome Spring dress... and my present bag.

    But please, hear my case. I have a totally legitimate reason. You see I bought the fabric online, and my cautious nature thought "I'll get a touch extra, just in case". I then discovered the Simplicity pattern was a big fat lying liar pants and I needed way less than suggested. So I gotta-lotta fabric. Two dresses and a bag's worth, actually. The Macaron pattern is labelled 'intermediate', but to be honest I haven't found too many issues... yet. It just requires patience.

    I have also checked a technique. Look at this facing, it's so facey! I can't believe it took me so long to do facing. I literally stared at it for about an hour. You know what else this facing is? Serged. Seriously I am now considering my life in two parts: Before and after owning a serger. With the latter obviously being far greater and magical.

    It makes everything so clean. So neat. So finished. I'm going a little serger crazy. This is going to be the neatest goddamn garment in the land I tell you. Oh, I also have a new addition to my treasured sewing family. Yesterday was my birthday and, what can I say, my boy knows how to buy a good present. I haven't used it yet, but I feel pretty pro just having it in my possession.

    Colette Violet

    Yeah, things are getting Colette-crazy around here, and next up is the beautiful Violet blouse. I've had this pattern for a while but never mustered the courage to attack those intimidating button holes, or that menacing peter pan collar. I'm sure I'll find, just like every other time I check a technique, it will be fine and I have nothing to fear from a little Peter Pan action.

    I'll probably use one of the three fabrics below as they're already in my stash. I'm petrified of creating one of those prevalent space-devouring stash-monsters. That all looks rather pink, doesn't it? The first two I bought at a vintage fair, and the third is a liberty of London fabric I got for my birthday. Spoilt much? Yes. I've never sewn with liberty fabric, but it's been a dream of mine. I'm not embarrassed to admit I've spent hours just holding onto this little strip of fabric, rubbing it against my cheek.

    Which one would you use?

    VIA Intermediate Pattern For Colette Macaron Dress

  • Recent projects

    Recent projects
     I finished a small batch of purses this week, the hot air balloons are my fave, they are made of a vintage velvet upholstery fabric and they are so soft.























    I made Jade and Sage a new dress, I will be making Kinsley one too, I just had to order another yard of fabric to make hers.  Looking at this picture, the pink one looks like the pockets are uneven, they aren't, I just made Jade run in here because she is wearing it so I could check it.  I absolutely love this fabric, it is by Tina Givens and it is called Opal Owl, Kinsley's will be in a blue color :)  The sleeves and pockets are from vintage sheets, I had striped ones to match each dress perfectly.

    I've been busy this summer with kids and cleaning, and sewing for shows, among other things.  This blog of mine has taken a back seat to everything, sometimes I just don't have the time or desire to blog.  I will say this though, I LOVE when I get comments, I don't have ads or sponsors for this little blog of mine, so really, my rewards are in your comments :)   I feel like no one comments anymore, I don't know if that is just because my posts are super boring, or if people are just too busy to comment or what.  I get super excited when I get comments, whether it is from someone who has commented before, or a new commenter.  I try my best to reply to every comment, if I haven't replied to your comment, it is probably because you don't have your email linked, so I can't reply :(
    Anyways, enough of that.  
    I hope you have a lovely weekend spending time with people you love :)