Stitching Across Time

There is something quite amazing about working with your hands. It gives you a certain feeling of accomplishment to create something. It is my opinion that our society today is seriously lacking in the creativity department. It is just so easy to get everything pre made and with out any work on our part. We can call up almost any dining establishment and have a complete meal delivered to our front doors, we can hop online and do all of our research in a matter of seconds, and we can stop by at Target for, oh say a tube of lipstick, and come out with any number of new clothes. How different would it all be if we had to actually work for all of those luxuries? I mean, I know we do work for those things already, we have to make money and what not, but what if we actually had to grow and make all of our meals, actually dig through piles of books to find out information, and sew all of our clothes? It would certainly be a different world. But, in some ways I think we are really missing out. As I said, there is really something amazing about using your hands to create something.

When I was in third grade I taught myself, witch some aid from Mommy, how to sew, and I have sewn ever since. Of course I do love to go shopping and buy made in china clothing, but the clothes I love the most are the ones that I make myself. I get the satisfaction of knowing that I made something that I can actually use, I know that I certainly have a one of a kind, and I save money! Now who wouldn't want that? A crazy person. that's who.

Today I sewed for about 6 hours and made three dress, all before eating lunch. I felt quite accomplished.
I think we should all try to play at creativity a little more often, so that we can all be better, more self reliant people, and also get in touch with our ancestors : )
So, if you are a well seasoned sewer, please check out my latest projects
If you have never tried before, let me be an inspiration to you and maybe, just maybe, you will try it out someday

Just one of my many piles of fabric

I love my Bernina Sewing machine. His name is Berni. He has a sister named Bernadette that is a serger.  

This is Sabine, my dress form. She is a little naked right now, please forgive her, she is french

As with every sewing project, you have to start with some kind of pattern. I started with these two Cynthia Rowley ones, but ended up altering them quite a bit, because well, well because I just don't much like following directions and rules. I make my own rules. 

Hobby Lobby, and I think Michael's and maybe JoAnn Fabrics, has a great deal where every once in a while they have simplicity patterns on sale for one dollar. Please take advantage of this. There is no reason what so ever for you to pay 14-35$ on a pattern. That is just ridiculous. 

Dress 1, a light blue seersucker with lots of pleats on the bodice. If you live in Denver, go to Denver Fabrics. That is an order. They have really great "bargain fabric" that is great fashion fabric for really cheap. I always buy way too much when I am there.

Dress 2, made out of the left over fabric from Mommy's shower curtain fabric (so yes I blend in with my bathroom) and vintage buttons
I did not spend a single dime on anything for this dress. See? Saving money!

Dress 3, fabric from Hobby Lobby, of course on sale, some old, found buttons, and a really cool scalloped maroon zipper that I got at the V&A Museum last year in London (that I have kept for a year not knowing what to use it on and have finally given it a purpose in life!)

Are you inspired? Do you want to get out there and sew now? I hope you do. If you have never sewn before, go to your local Michael's or Hobby Lobby or really any craft and or fabric store and check out their classes. That is a great way to get started. If you don't have a sewing machine, have no fear! If you go to a class, you can use their machines, or you could do it old school and hand sew, although I don't actually recommend that as it can cause you some major hand pain and takes forever. 

I promise you all, that if you take some time and do some work with your hands and actually make something, instead of getting something some little, old, under paid, Chinese woman maid in some factory somewhere that you bought on the Walmart rack half price, you will feel better about your self and about life. That is a guarantee. 

xoxo

p.s. also if you make more of your clothes you have more money to buy shoes and food : )

The marvelousness of today

Not every day is perfect. Not everyday works out just as you planned. Not everyday is worth remembering forever. So when you do have a perfect day that works out just as planned and will be stuck in your memory forever, it just makes you glad to be alive. I woke up at 6:30 this morning, worked out, ate a delicious breakfast of strawberries and an omelette, and then went off on an adventure with my best friend in the whole world, my mother. I do not think that I can adequately describe the marvelousness of this day with my limited vocabulary, and so that in order for you to take a glimpse into the window of my life, I shall share with you a picture timeline of the last seven hours.

Time to take a leap, or should I say a Spring?

Spring is here, finally. It seems as if winter was unbearably long this year, and yet at the same time we barely even had winter this year. Of course, the forecast does show snow for this week, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, but that is just Colorado for you. I say Spring is here. My garden is starting to show its face and so Spring is here.

I know I say this about just about every season, but I think that Spring is probably  my favorite season. Now why is that? Is it the fact that school is almost done? or that all the flowers are starting to grow? or that I can start to wear dresses without wool tights? I would say all of the above plus a lot more. Now that all of those beautiful spring colors are starting to emerge and we are no longer trapped in a cage of white, brown, grey, black, and "ick", we can start to spice up our wardrobes! At this time of year, when all of the greens, yellows, and blues are nice and dull, as if they are just beginning to come out, it just looks beautiful everywhere. So, why not mimick the great outdoors and become like a wood fairy? I mean…ummm…wear flowers? leaves? okay maybe just wear the colors of early spring and maybe not actually wear spring itself. 

dress from Modcloth

How about some mint green and light pink? You can look like the lovely little buds popping up on the bushes

or become the flowers that are coming up through the still frozen ground

with the lightness of chiffon and cream, you are like the light morning spring air

and of course don't forget the classic florals

and the icy blue morning sky with the touch of a rosy sunrise

and of course, we mustn't forget that Spring is the beginning of sandal season!

Now go outside and get some fresh air and enjoy the delights of Spring!

Don't forget to read my past posts and to follow me on Pinterest!

xoxo
Mae

Can you smell that? Oh yeah, it's all that Love wafting about

Happy Valentines all my lovelies! I hope your days has been full of cheesy, nice, or slightly inappropriate cards, hugging, kissing, chocolate, food, and general loveliness. If you are like me, and frankly it seems like most people around me, and prefer to regard this day as "singles awareness day", I have some quick anecdotes that are sure to cheer you up. First of all, look at these kittens

Aren't you excited for your future as a cat lady? I sure know I am.

Now to business. I am sure that most of us strong independent women who don't need no men to complete us (aka single ladies) may be feeling a teensy weeny bit down today. But have no fear! Even if you feel as if you are doomed to be alone forever, you must have hope!

Remember: 

• Jane Austen was never married
• Mary Cassatt was never married
• Elizabeth I was never married (and was she awesome or what?!)
• Emily and Anne Bronte were never married
• Oprah Winfrey has never been married

See? you do not need a man to complete you. You are perfectly free to create a life for yourself as an authoress, poet, painter, inspiring TV host, etc. all on your own!

 

(Although of course, I think men are great and it would probably have helped most of the authoresses and poets of the past to relieve some of their inner angst if they had been married…probably wouldn't have whined as much…except of course that didn't work out so great for Madame Bovary…but really she couldn't be helped)

In my opinion one fantastic replacement for men in life is, of course, clothing! Like these beautiful dresses

Who needs a man by your side when nothing could quite show you off as well as a beautiful red dress? 

And of course there is always chocolate

I want you all to remember that there is nothing wrong with buying your self a box of chocolates and enjoying the best that Belgium can offer (except of course waffles, those are pretty great too). I have heard that chocolate is good for the soul, and I believe that wholeheartedly. Just don't over eat. Tummy aches are not a good companion for Valentine's Day.

Remember when we used to hand out valentine's cards in Elementary school? and everyone got on? and everyone got candy? yeah, that was great

These are some of my favorite

Aren't those just fantastic?  I think so. 

Now of course, a staple for Valentine's day is watching a movie! Whether you are alone or snuggling up with somebody (friend, sister, boyfriend, husband, cat, etc.) these movies would be perfect for tonight:

• Breakfast at Tiffany's
• Pride and Prejudice (either the Keira Knightly one, or in you have 5 hours of free time, the Colin Firth one)
• Chocolat (also fitting for the Lenten season)
• Leapyear
• An Affair to Remember
• Dirty Dancing
• The Notebook (or any Nicholas Sparks movie for that matter)
• The Sound of Music
• My Fair Lady
• Say Anything
• A Room With a View
• Tangled (or any Disney Movie for that matter)

Whether you are alone or happily taken, I say that we all embrace the day and go sit down with a nice box of chocolate, watch a movie, think loving thoughts, and be happy for the future. I myself plan on picking out my future breeds of cats.

Now, if you are thoroughly upset by the day, I am truly sorry for you. But you and grumpy cat can go have your own little party

 xoxo

Mae

(don't forget to check out my past posts, especially as this one had little to do with fashion, and to follow me on pinterest!)

What Does Pantone Say About Spring 2013?

For those of you who do not know (aka are ignorant to the ways of the world) Pantone Inc is a company that is primarily responsible for the "pantone color matching system". Basically it is a whole bunch of people who create new colors and name them, give them numbers, and then create a standardized scale for all industries. So, for example, if I called up some company in, oh let's say, China and said that I need 1 million yards of Pantone 17-5641 fabric they would then send me 1 million yards of Emerald Fabric. They also are huge in the fashion forecasting world. They go to all of the big fashion shows and fashion weeks and survey what colors the designers seem to be using. They then average them together and are able to release a report on what will be the next BIG thing, the next super trendy color. So, for example, during New York Fashion week September 6-13, 2012, all the hot shot designers were showing their collections for spring 2013. Pantone went and was able to put together a summary of the trends for spring 2013, for us mere mortals to reference, and this is what I shall share with you.

I do not own this image, it is the property of Pantone®

Here you go! the Top 10 Colors for Spring 2013

And because I am lazy, I am going to show you what Pantone says about these colors instead of coming up with my own witty/ over done deep meaning behind them all

This season, designers overwhelmingly address consumers' desire for self-expression, balance and the need to re-energize. The color direction for spring builds upon these compelling needs with a palette that mixes dynamic brights with novel neutrals to create a harmonious balance. This allows for unique combinations that offer practicality and versatility, but at the same time, demand attention and earn an appreciative glance.

"The expression 'balancing act' is something we all relate to as we strive to find harmony in the frantic pace of our everyday lives," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute^®. "The same can be said for fashion as we look for balance between light and bright, classic and new. This season's color palette emphasizes this need for balance, while at the same time allowing for individuality, self-expression and excitement."

The prevalence of green this spring is undeniable. Similar to the many shades in our natural surroundings, this season's greens offer a stunning foreground or the perfect backdrop for all other hues. Like the first signs of spring, Tender Shoots, a vibrant yellow-green, is invigorating, active and cheerful, while Grayed Jade, a subtle, hushed green with a gray undertone, brings about a mood of quiet reflection and repose. Sophisticated Emerald, a lively, radiant green, inspires insight and clarity while enhancing our sense of well-being. From one extreme to the other, combining all three greens presents an intriguing choice much like Mother Nature intended.

Exotic African Violet is a statement color that brings a touch of intrigue to the palette, as purples often do, and can be incorporated into many unexpected combinations. Try pairing it with exuberant Poppy Red, a seductive, sensual and celebratory shade. Whether it's a knockout dress or a kiss on the lips, every woman's wardrobe and beauty essentials should include this spirited, true red.

Nectarine, a bright, effervescent citrus orange with coral undertones, provides a tangy burst of flavor while cheerful Lemon Zest brings out a piquant taste with its refreshing, spritely greenish cast.

Signifying the time of day when everything starts to wind down, Dusk Blue offers a calming sense of serenity akin to its green counterpart, Grayed Jade. Both of these colors act as the season's newest neutrals. For an unexpected mix, pair Dusk Blue with the intensity of Nectarine. A warm neutral, Linen is light and airy, providing a nudelike basic that is a must have for spring. Try pairing Linen with Grayed Jade or Dusk Blue. AnchoringMonaco Blue is a classic shade that offers both stability and depth to the entire palette. Combine Monaco Blue with Poppy Red and Linen, or Monaco Blue and Emerald for a fresh collegiate look.

So, Ladies and Gents, pull out your Emerald and Jade and get ready for this exciting season!!

xoxo