Air Oeuvre is online!

My husband has launched Air Oeuvre, a sport kite design company. Wholesale is in the works, but for now he is selling them directly. At least, go check out his handy-work. We've been using our new Pfaff for sewing the kite sails. I inspired the sail pattern and did up the website. His brother, Steven, helps with framing the kites with carbon rods. One of his latest customers, Frazer Worley, took these photos. Check it out!

Abstract Flower Brooch and Thread Collection

I was inspired by mollychicken's tutorial for simple fabric brooches. I made this one (my first) for my mother recently - hopefully she got it in the mail! I plan on making more of these soon, and also hairclip versions.

Specs:
+ multiple layers of materials from the following sources:
- suede scraps someone gave me
- egyptian cotton sheets
- cotton landscape print
- backside of stretch denim jeans
- fabric covered button from grandma's stash
- vintage sky blue cotton curtains
- brown cordouroy pants
- brown embroidery thread
+ about 4" across
+ 1-1/4" steel nickle-plated pin back



And as you can see, this is part of my thread collection. I have a lot of wooden spools (most with little/no thread) that are up for grabs if anyone wants to trade me something for them :)

About two years ago on eBay, I won an auction of thread and small sewing-related knick knacks. I haven't bought a lot of new thread; this photo shows mostly someone else's old things.

ridiculous shirt made cute

My grandmother-in-law knows a "plus-sized" older woman who loves crazy prints and crazy designs. I got a heap of her clothes. This is first reconstruction from this stash.

I removed the 3/4 length sleeves. There are three tiny pleats at the shoulder, on the front, hidden under the collar. This causes some puffiness. I applied red, double fold bias tape to the armholes. Taking in the sides proved to be a bit difficult; twas my first somewhat successful altering of a woven fabric garment with a zipper in the back.

It's my new favorite shirt. Click for larger image.

My first "wedding" cake.

My friends Sandy and Renee were married this evening, and I made them a small simple wedding cake. Click on the image for more information.

dress, dresser, and dressed up wingback

Last week, I spent a few hours with Jackie one day and with Oma and Opa on another day. I ended up leaving with all sorts of neat things, like...

+ 3 80s leather shoulderbags with gold accents and neat metal closures
+ 1 wingback (?) chair that she lovingly reupholstered
+ 1 secondhand yellow/pea green curtain panel (same color as our living room wall) which serves as a cover for the chair
+ 1 secondhand dark wood night stand with tiny drawer
+ 1 secondhand dark wood mini-dresser that matches a large dresser I already have
+ 1 tall gold desktop clock with chime and glass dome cover
+ 3 pieces of fabric, with printed pieces/instructions to make 2 dolls and 1 country cow apron

Here is the little dresser. It's only a few feet tall. My grandmother crocheted the orange and green mat.

Earlier in the month, I wore this robe/dress thing. I'm still wondering what I will do with it (sell, reconstruct, keep?). Click for full-size picture.

squirrels and magnolias

Sitting at the computer desk and looking out the bedroom window, I notice a squirrel in my front yard that is working its way down a tree and INTO my mailbox. I grab the camera and make way out the front door, tip-toeing ever so quietly out into the yard. But darn-it-all, the little bugger has already run off and up the tree. Did he snatch a little magnolia blossom for himself?