How to use this Page

I’ve been terribly sick all weekend and now that it’s Monday I’ve had to drag myself out of bed to try to have a normal workday and now I’m considering braving this rainstorm to go out and get some TheraFlu.  The one good thing about being under the weather is having a cat who loves to cuddle.

Last week I reworked (embellished, rather) a couple of recent projects but it’ll have to wait for better lighting and for me to feel a little bit better.  Hope you’re having a great start to the week!

I really thought I’d have a sewing project to share (I’m making another Built by Wendy #3835 dress, this time with the sleeve ties!) but I simply don’t have time to finish it before Christmas, what with all the last minute gift-wrapping and pie-making going on.  So, I’m just here to wish you all a joyous and safe holiday with your loved ones.

I’m looking at my to-do pile/rack of sewing projects, my art supplies and other crafty things and I’m feeling rather…MEH about it all right now.   The desire is there but not the will to do any of it.  Eep!  Usually this feeling doesn’t hit me until mid to late summer.  I like to call this feeling “Befuddled Burnout.”  When there’s just so much on your plate and you canNOT even begin to pick at your mashed potatoes.  My husband reminds me that I don’t have to be Superwoman but it’s so hard to not feel like I must, you know?

On the bright side, I’m been working out almost every day (mostly yoga), finally getting enough sleep, and have read through book 6 of the Enola Holmes series.  (So, SO good!)  And just because I haven’t had the inclination to do much besides the aforementioned activities in addition to work, that doesn’t mean I don’t continue to find (and look for) inspiration in other people’s work.

So instead of forcing myself to do some of the things I think I “need” to do (like constructing a certain ’60s dress that has been driving me a bit crazy) I’m just going to sit back and enjoy the break!

My parents came down to SoCal this week to visit Disneyland!  It has literally been 25 years since they went and I believe they had a jolly good time.  Husband and I spent a day at the park with them and had dinner at the Blue Bayou, an establishment serving the best food there.  (The food is actually good, not just amusement-park-good.)  One of the best things about this place, besides the food, is that it’s located INSIDE the Pirates of the Caribbean ride where it’s perpetually night time.  I snapped this photo of the Chinese lanterns on my phone.  (And we got a table right next to the water–lucky ducks!)  My parents’ visit down south also included some yummy old style Korean BBQ and blue velvet cake (with blueberries, my favorite); all in all a pretty nice trip.

So while I’ve been talking about my latest sewing project on my Facebook page this week (and getting great feedback–thank you!), I haven’t had time to finish it.  But I hope to do that this weekend along with some re-organizing of my closet, watching more B movies from the ’50s/’60s (to continue my marathon from last weekend–no one ever told me “Die, Monster, Die!” was SO entertaining), packaging up paper goods and teaching a little sewing class for friends (which will, naturally, include cupcakes).

I hope you all have a nice little break planned!

I’m not the perfume-wearing type (not that that’s a bad type, I just never seem to find anything I like!) but I love a good scent, especially in a bar of soap.  I discovered Mistral’s Wild Blackberry soap late last summer and it’s by far the best smelling soap I’ve ever used.  It smells so good in fact I keep my stash in my workshop.  The scent of tart, juicy berries mixed with, what seems to me, powdery-musky violets make me think of lazy afternoons sitting in the sun.

My dear landlord just dropped off a generous bag of Easter chocolates covered in adorable foil wrappers.  I’ve noticed other chocolates from Germany are often dressed up in a similar fashion, disguised as ladybugs and mushrooms; so cute!  My favorite is the happy chick in the middle with her cartoon eyes and red bow tie.

Even though I have some work to do I really hope to catch up on my sewing tomorrow or Sunday.  If I go too long without it I start to feel a little batty!  Do you get like that too?

Anyway, if you celebrate, Happy Easter to you!  Otherwise have a most lovely spring (or autumn) weekend.

Oh…and Happy Earth Day!

This post concludes Poppytalk’s Spring Colours Week.  It makes me a wee bit sad to see this end; it’s been rather enjoyable to poke around the house and find things to snap, organized by color.  Plus there have been so many beautiful images posted.  Thanks to Jan and everyone at Poppytalk Handmade for coming up with such a splendid idea!

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

For Poppytalk’s Spring Colours Week. This one was a bit trickier as I don’t have a lot of lavender/lilac things. (Which is odd, I guess, because I find the color so bewitching and violets are my favorite candy flavor.)  Again, more art supplies, dresses and things printed on paper.

For Poppytalk’s Spring Colours Week.

Just a reminder that I won’t be posting tomorrow in memoriam of the lives lost in Japan.  I know, I hardly ever post on Friday anyway.  But this time it would be a conscious decision on my part.   An opportunity to stop for a moment and, instead of feeling overwhelmed by the horribleness of what has happened, remember all the individuals who are gone–and to have hope for the future of the Japanese people.

I do have some fun things to share with you, hopefully early next week.

For more information on the Bloggers’ Day of Silence, please visit For Japan with Love and to donate, if you can, check out Shelter Box USA.

I just had to re-post this video.  Nothing necessarily new but it’s Ira Glass speaking from his own experience in broadcasting: just how darned long it takes to get where you want or think you should be in your craft.  I’ll pretty much believe anything he says so if he says honing your craft takes a long, long time then that’s how it is.  (OK, I wouldn’t believe ANYTHING he says, but I could listen to him talk all day.)

Did I tell you I’m taking Pikaland’s Bootcamp: #1: making your mark?  I’m enjoying it so far (I’m rather thrilled to be taking it, actually) but I just turned in my first assignment today and I can sum it up in one word: Meh.  It’s not terrible — it’s just not what I want it or expect it to be.  (Does this happen to you a lot?)  But then I stumble upon this video and I’m reminded — Yea, it’s OK, I’ve just got more work to do.

Anyway, guess what I’m doing today – that’s right, drawing!

(video via Making it Lovely)

Thank you for the dress love!  I appreciate all of your lovely comments and find your enthusiasm entirely motivating.  (I have another dress to be in the queue of which I’m super excited about and only hope it’ll turn out as well as I envision.)  I answered a few questions regarding the ruffle and belt in the comments sections so take another peek if you were wondering about these as well.

I also wanted to let you know Miss Polly Danger has posted a little interview (of yours truly)  on her blog!  She is quite the sweet and talented lady (check out her scalloped bag pattern — you know how much I love scallops!) and I enjoyed talked to her a bit about le shop.   So stop by and say ‘ello for me!

Here’s my latest Lucy doll – sans arms.  (This Depression-era reproduction fabric is my current favorite from my stash.)

And here’s Spoo Kee getting a steam facial from our portable dishwasher.  This is a ritual for him.  Spoo suffers from sinus congestion and he’s discovered the warm steam helps him feel better.  (At least I like to think this is why he does it; that would also mean he’s crazy smart to make that connection!)

Sometimes he’ll even rest his head on the open door.  Too funny.

I know, Saturday Night Live (or sketch comedy in general?) is a bit of a hit or miss but this sketch is one of my favorites.  The guy in the middle (Taran Killam) is just perfect.

I randomly thought of this sketch while re-watching A Series of Unfortunate Events (Jim Carrey).   Actually, I’ve been in this re-watching movies/TV shows phase these past few weeks.  Anyway, enjoy!

I have this weird déjà vu feeling I’ve posted this photo before – is it true?  Oh well, it’s the first photo that came to mind when I thought of this post so it stays.  Spoo Kee loves to watch the house finches flit and tweet about the eaves of our roof.  I think they like to watch him too.

Last week I got laid off from my job after about 3 and a half years.  Wow!  It was shocking and a little sad though I think I took it pretty well, especially after I confirmed it was not due to poor performance, compatibility, etc.  Anyway, I have spent the last few days trying to get my ducks in a row wrapping up projects, inquiring about insurance and all that kind of stuff.   But I’ve done some fun things too.

You know what they say: when a door closes, a window opens.  Spoo Kee and I are both on the lookout.

(Thank you for all the Spoo Kee love!  He’s happily purring up a storm over here.)

So, I may have mentioned this before, but The Fabled Needle has a Facebook page!  For months I’ve been trying to figure out how to make this page something more than a feed for my blog but also not something that will become so time-consuming that it’ll be impossible for me to keep up.

Then 2 lovely ladies posted pictures of their own versions of Elisa the Swan (formerly Leda).  OH!  How fun to see that pattern made up.  Patterns are a lot of work and I feel so appreciated when I see others have enjoyed making things from them.

Anyway, it occurred to me that I can indeed have different content on this page.  Firstly, your photos and comments!  This is really the perfect place for this since you can’t share pictures inside blog comments.  Personally, I love seeing all the variations people come up with when it comes to a pattern, scrapbook kit, etc. I have bought.  So if you have something Fabled Needle-ish you’d like to share, please post it here.  (Even if you’ve sent me a link or something before, I would love to see it up on Facebook.)

Secondly, I think my Facebook page will be a good place for me to share little drawings, sneak peeks, works in progress and other things that may not need a whole blog post of their own.  For example:

This is a work in progress / sneak peek of a series that I’m working on.  I love to share such things with you (and by posting them online, they become a sort of contract to make sure I stay on task!) but maybe I don’t feel like writing up a whole post about them.

So that’s it!  What do you think?  I’m also open to any suggestions that could make the Facebook page more fun, and more valuable as a resource.

Do you have any wondrous plans for this weekend?  I’ll be doing some coloring but I also hope to work on a spring dress that is already cut out and ready to go.  Talk soon!

» The Fabled Needle on Facebook

This year we got a little tree, an “elf” tree if you will.  Maybe 3′ tall, it’s so cute!  I was afraid it would be “enough” but my husband and I really like it.  I kept the decorations simple and mostly red: homemade magic mushrooms, glittery poison apples, Seuss-ian candy globes, fairy lights and, of course, my vintage paper garland.

Speaking of, if you haven’t already, make sure to enter the Vintage Paper Garland Giveaway.  It’s a short run (ends later Tuesday night) so I don’t want anyone to miss a chance to win your very own paper garland made by me!  A winner will be randomly selected Wednesday, December 15th,  and announced on the blog.

Happy Weekend, folks!  I’m working on a big-ish illustration project that is consuming most of my creativity right now (although I might stop for a sewing break at one point).

4″x6″ recipe card

3″x5″ recipe card

Enjoy my free to print and share pumpkin-y recipes cards from last fall.  Just in time to swap those yummy recipes for Thanksgiving!

Slowly I’m started to feel a little less frazzled, a little more myself.  I think part of this change is the weather - a change for the better.  The recent heatwave in L.A. has played itself out.  In fact, it should be in the 70s this weekend which is below normal for August. The heat really just gets to me every time.

I’ve also cut down on internet time - big time.  Which is weird, because my job is web-based and most things I do revolve around the computer.  I mean, I love to stay in touch.  But too much virtual reality can leave one feeling a little out of touch, you know?  For the past two evenings I’ve had my nose in a book - actual books made with paper that smell good and have roughly cut edges (there’s a term for it in publishing though I don’t remember it).  OK, maybe paper books are not as “green” as digital ones but I love the tactile quality a book has and it just seems more real, more real than anything labeled “reality” as of late.

And I’ve talked to friends - on the phone!  One friend of mine, who is going through some difficult times, I talked to maybe 3 or 4 times in the last two weeks.  We were laughing at how it was the most we’ve talked to each other in a long time, and how silly it was that it took something painful for that to happen.

I feel like I’m gaining some clarity and lightening my load…No, I wasn’t able to take an actual vacation, but taking a mental break from the everyday does help!

………

Anyway, I can’t post without including a picture of something pretty, right?  I found this old ’50s dress at a local antique market and have been wearing it almost non-stop (along with my homemade granny cardigan).  In fact, I think it has already faded a bit from the repeated washing.  It’s sleeveless and lightweight and in the sweetest print.  The best part?  Rhinestones!  Yes, my dear friends, said dress is BEDAZZLED.

This is not the first ’50s dress that I’ve found with little jewels encrusted on the bodice.  I suppose it was a trend back then.

………

Dears, enjoy the weekend!

I feel like a need a vacation.  I mean, if I’m going to sit around doing nothing, I might as well be sitting around doing nothing in a bathing suit on some tropical island drinking something fruity.  Perhaps it’s the fact that summer has finally hit L.A. (even later than usual) and I just can’t think when it’s hot.  I’ve been feeling listless lately and a bit unbalanced.  Not unhappy, just really unmotivated.  It makes me wonder if I need to step back and re-assess my priorities, goals etc.  What do you do when you feel this way?  The good news if it’s supposed to cool off a bit this weekend.  Maybe I’ll be able to think then.

I hope I don’t sound like a Debbie Downer.  :)  This is just a temporary feeling and I’ve got to roll with it.

xo

My mother-in-law made this beautiful wool rug as a wedding gift.   She let me pick out the shape, size and colors (she even dyed a couple herself).  We didn’t really know what to expect with the grey, yellow and ivory color combination.  Though it seems trendy, I figured these colors would make the rug look more modern while still retaining the old-fashioned feel from a braided rug.  I have to say I was completely thrilled when I open the box!

The photos don’t do it justice, plus you can’t feel how soft it is.  As you can see, even the four-legged member of the household approves!  This photo was taken soon as I unrolled it (you can see the edges are still a little wavy) and Spoo has pretty much claimed it as his own.  Because of this I’ve had to move from the living room it to my office (oh geez that’s a real shame, now i have it all to myself) where I can shut the door when I’m not around.  See, Spoo Kee likes to dig his claws into the wool (as most cats would);  he knows he’s not supposed to.  In fact, while I was on the computer the other day, I heard the faintest of  sounds behind me: *pick* *pick*.  Yes, that was Spoo Kee trying to be ever so quiet while scratching the rug!

Oh, and thank you for the comments on Dress Parade (Yellow, Part 1), I’m glad you love that little yellow dress.  Part 2 is coming up very soon!

I hope you have a lovely weekend!  This week has been a whirlwind in terms of work and I’m seriously ready to lounge.  I have some crafty and thrifting plans, plus lots of sweet tea.  Yum.

I tweeted last week that I got my haircut - several inches gone!  I haven’t gotten a good picture of it but sometimes it looks like sweet Inara’s.  (The above is a still from the video My Love.)

Here’s the link (oh, you should watch it!):  » My Love

xoxo

Thank you SO much for taking my name poll and leaving your comments - I’m very glad I asked!  Sometimes it’s easy to forge ahead and forget that it can be helpful to get other people’s opinions.   As for my next step regarding a possible shop move (I haven’t made the commitment just yet), I’ll definitely keep you all posted!

I’m working on some new drawings, including more paper dolls.  I’m having a lot of fun just creating and drawing, I almost feel like a kid!  I stopped by Blick over the weekend to pick up more watercolor paper and pens which was terribly exciting. (I know, how nerdy is that?)   My other creative endeavors have fallen to the wayside, including a sea-inspired picnic quilt I’m making for my nephew’s 1st birthday,  (I really need to hop on that this weekend)  but I’ve been too engrossed to really notice.

It’s wonderfully drizzly and grey today, I think I’m going to cook up some soup for lunch.   Anyway, thank you again.  Happy Tuesday!

For Poppytalk’s Spring Color Week.