Monthly Archive for February, 2008

200th Post-O-Rama Giveaway

Published on February 29, 2008 in 200th Post Giveaway, Blog and about me. 15 Comments

I missed my 1 year anniversary. I missed my 100th post. But today, my dear peeps, this is my 200th post. So before I tell you about the 200th Post-O-Rama Giveaway, I thought I’d share some blogging love.

I started my blog mid 2002, on zannestar.com, which I lost to some boob mid 2006. I started so I could somehow keep in touch with friends and family. I felt like I had lost touch, and being so spread out, we don’t see each other often and I felt like this was a great way to let those I care about know more about me and what I was doing. I had hoped it would strike up dialogue, and it has. You don’t see most of it. I get wonderful emails all the time. Keeping in touch is good for the soul.

I started with posting about my knitting adventures. I was stuck in a job with a horrible human being for a boss and needed a new creative outlet. I bough a knitting book, a pair of needles and the yummiest pink wool yarn. I posted about my progress, linking to others. Anyway – that part is all gone now.

Now, I post about my inspiration. Things I think about and do. Sort of like my creative brain dump journal. I can tell you about my favorite things, and save them (so I can find them later), I can share stories and pictures, gathering information and organizing it (everything has it’s place).

I love the blogging community. It’s saved me from complete and total isolation after leaving NYC for the remote hills of Western Mass. It’s helped me connect and relate to other new moms, now more experienced moms, share my creations and inspirations with other makers of things. It’s greatly improved my letter (and email) writing skills. It’s kept me inspired and has been a part of my creativity for the last few years. What an amazing group of people to belong to. I admire and respect you all!

ok, enough gush gush. On to the details:

I ‘ve labored over this for months. The giveaway isn’t finalized yet, but here’s the concept:

A gaggle of goodies meant to inspire.
A few finished pieces and some supplies to get you started on something else.
A handmade pin cushion, a handmade tote, a few of my favorite vintage buttons.
Some yarn, some fabric, some trimmings and notions.
and more goodies.

There are no pictures yet. I like to know what you like, so in your comment to this post (which is how you enter) please tell me:

Your favorite color(s)
The link to your blog (if you have one)
The project you are working on now.
What’s on your project to-do list?

The deal:

Comment only once, no anonymous comments please.
Deadline to comment : is Friday, March 7, 2008 11:59PM New York City Time (EST)
International comments are welcome!
I’ll be using random.org to pick the winner.

Since I’m customizing this package to the winner, I’ll need some time to start and finish the goodies and your package will ship after April 7, 2008.

Ok, hope to hear from you and happy blogging!

xxoo

zanne

Bubbles

Published on February 26, 2008 in Bubble Skirts, Creating, couture, fashion design, inspiration and tutorials. 0 Comments

Could be the name of the “girl next door”, but I’m thinking skirts. Not for me, I don’ t need any bubbles, the last one I wore was to my HS Christmas Dance, back in the late 80s. It was a tulle bubble skirt with a tube top. Black, of course. I crimped my platinum locks. Lots of black eyeliner. It was really wonderful. I’ll have to see if I can find a picture.

Anyway, enough FLASHBACK….I’ve certainly been noticing the bubbles. They do remind me of the 80s (cringe), but I think they are still fun, perfect for spring and I am truly in love with the updates. I think they are much more tasteful and classic than their grandmas from the 80s.

Moschino

Vivienne Westwood

Erotokritos

I’ve got a few planned for Iz this summer. Since she’s a 3T, I can experiment quickly with yummy remnants. Although, with a skirt class on the horizon, I might just make one for me!

Here’s a cutesy tute from Threadbangers on converting a hem to a bubble hem. love it. make it.

Winter Days

Published on February 26, 2008 in Feb Funk, Iz, about me, birds, dollhouse, family, food, nature and photos. 4 Comments

This is from our walk this weekend. It’s our usual walk, out the door, turn left down the road and walk to the bridge and look at the water. It’s quite beautiful, and all 3 of us just soak it up. At least this weekend we could go for a walk, it’s warming up a bit. We’ve all been sunk in Feb Funk these past few weeks. Eager for spring and ready to be outside all day long. Fresh air and sun is good for Feb Funk.

We’ve been talking since October about giving Iz her Great Aunt Carol’s doll house, first for Christmas and then for her birthday. Well, we finally did it. In celebration of February. There will be more pictures later as we paint the whole thing, redecorate and start furnishing. I’m quite excited about making rugs. And did you know that Ikea has doll furniture? Of course – we’ll have to update the phone (we won’t we’ll leave it there, it’s just too cool for school). Iz is thrilled with it. The cat loves it and has slept in all 8 rooms already.

I’m almost finished with another pair of PJs for Iz. She’s going to see Dan Zane’s Friday night for a Pajama concert. I’ll be popping in the buttons, holes and waistband. She loves them. Fresh PJs to beat that Feb Funk.

I’ve been thinking a lot about meal planning. It’s not coming to me too quickly. Slowly but surely. Saturday we made tacos. It was perfect. Fresh veggies, ground and browned veggie protein crumbles (doesn’t that sound delish?), yummy taco shells and taco sauce. Iz loved it, but decided she’d need another since the first crumbled in her hands. I love our sushi roll nights, and taco night will certainly be added to the monthly meal planning. Any tips on the meal planning?

Then, yesterday, I heard funny noises outside the kitchen. I thought there was a large critter in the new part of the house, but couldn’t find anything. I walked outside and found one of these calling loudly. It flew away as I took a step near it. I went inside to get the camera, and when I came back, there were 2. Sitting on the pool. Looking for food? water? I thought they were turkey vultures, but everything I find says the white head means they are from Africa. Anybody recognize them?

Mei Tai Baby Carrier

Published on February 25, 2008 in LuckyStitches, Mei Tai Baby Carrier, classes, fabric, fabric shopping, inspiration, patterns, projects, sewing, sewing patterns and textiles. 2 Comments

oooooh – look what arrived today!

Mei Tai Class starts tomorrow. Pattern is from the wonderful Montessori By Hand (read Meg’s blog) and arrived in the mail today. Dots are Robert Kaufman from Valley Fabrics, which we visited this morning. Even though they have a bucket of toys, I was rushed, but I like the dots.

PS – This isn’t for me. It’s a gift.

Class Updates

Published on February 25, 2008 in Creating, HomeSchool Sewers, Learning To Sew, LuckyStitches, LuckyStitches Jean Class, LuckyStitches Sew-cial, Perfect Jeans, classes, design, embroidery, projects, sewing, sewing with kids and totes and bags. 0 Comments

Sew much has been going on at LuckyStitches, so I’ll give it to you in one long post with pictures and a few words:

HomeSchoolers:

We’ve been working on our sewing machines. Some students have been stitching for a while, whether they started during the classes that began back in December, or earlier. Some have never used a sewing machine. You know what’s great about teaching these kids to sew on machines? They try anything. They don’t give up and aren’t afraid of the machine or to make mistakes. They are thrilled to be making things.

This week it was tote bags. Fabulous practice for first timers, lots of straight lines, hems, corners and straps. For those that are more experienced, they design their own bags.

Above – the kids ages 6 -11 – all sewing on the machine for the first time.

Flannel pups, we put french seams in our tote bags so they wouldn’t ravel all over our books, groceries, sewing projects, dolls, etc.

Dolls watch as we sew straps.

The perfect pocket completed by a first time sewing machine 6 year old queen.

While each child is different, I am amazed by the talent displayed by my youngest students. They sew straight lines. They remember how to wind bobbins and thread the machine. Some parents declare that their 6 year old can’t use a machine (and they could be right), but have they tried? Sure, they shouldn’t be left alone, it is a machine and it can sew over a finger, but why not sew together? If you give them a chance, they can totally do it.

The classes are designed as guidelines. Since everyone works at different levels, I provide the basic idea and encourage everyone to make it their own. This 12 year old decided her tote would be in strips.

After attaching the strips, she pleated every other one. I can’t wait to show you what she does with the bag this week. It’s a very clever bag (no longer the trad tote!).

This is a box tote, that has been quilted and has tons of pockets including a zipper pocket on this side of the bag.

Bag has handles attached with square rings and fabulous batik trim. The inside is lined. More on the bags after classes this week. We’re going to have a bag show.

We’ve also been working on embroidery. We are working in T-shirts. More pictures later.

Embroidery 101 :: I created a sampler and taught the basic stitches (so everyone could create their own!). Here we are using the “window method” to transfer the sampler pattern to our fabric. We are using basic color pencils to transfer the pattern

French Knots, Split Stitch, Chain Stitch, Satin Stitch and Blanket Stitch.

We are still making jeans. Here, the edges of the pieces are being serged (denim ravels like CRAZY). My jeans are just about done, but, and I can’t believe it, but my jeans are just way too big! How did that happen. The muslin fit! Maybe the “Sew Diet” is working. I’m eager to finish my first pair, I have many more in line.

If you have an iron, it’s best to have an aloe plant around. We needed this during a Sew-cial when a 6 year old was learning how to iron (with her mom), and ironed her arm. ouch. If you don’t have an Aloe plant at your home, sewing room or lounge, go get one.

Esty Love – Hats

Published on February 24, 2008 in Bucket Hats, crochet and etsy love. 2 Comments

Clearly – I have hats on the brain.

I love the cloche shape and this hat totally makes me want to learn to crochet. :: camelliadesigns

Great graphic hat :: KatEyez

Cute stripes reverse to a yummy orange :: littleguystogs

Vintage dots are so sweet :: twinklythings

Lovely shape, wonderful spring/summer colors :: Sookie etc.

I know it’s not very spring like – but up here in New England, this could very well be a spring hat! :: luvlugs

and…last but not least…punk rock :: Infantile

Library Loot

Published on February 24, 2008 in Iz, Library Loot, book review and fashion design. 1 Comment

We visit our local library almost every Saturday. Usually we stop in after ballet and run into friends, so it turns into a social event as well. The kids room has so many wonderful books, books on tape, magazines and toys, we can stay for many hours. Iz has reached the point where she’ll sit and read books (after taking all the furniture out of the doll house and lining up all the toy animals in pairs). I loved going to the library when I was little. We would go there for story hour, special events, and just to fill our bags with books. Pratt has a pretty incredible library. An amazing collection. When I was in college, I loved spending time there.

I want Iz to appreciate the library too. I think she already does. It’s special to go to the library. She already knows the stacks and heads to the right places each week.

This is what we brought home last week.

I loved this book. I’ve always admired Coco Chanel, so this book was really for me. I was able to share with Iz some fashion magic.

This was certainly the favorite this week. It’s excellent. Iz loved the animals, the story. We read it about 10 times every day. There’s a great web site for the book too : www.PunkFarm.com and check out Jarrett’s blog! Iz wants to go back to the library and get this book! Might have to become a permanent member of our own library! I love that she remembers her fave books.

And of course Stellaluna. I love this story. I think this is the second time I’ve checked it out of the library. Wasn’t big on Iz’s list, but maybe next time.

Hats – or Getting Ready For Spring

Published on February 23, 2008 in Bucket Hats, Iz, LuckyStitches, classes, fabric shopping, projects, sewing, sewing for Iz, sewing with kids and workshops. 0 Comments

Even though 12″ of snow fell around us yesterday (with probably the same amount again in a few days), I’m thinking about a Spring/Summer hat. I know that soon, we’ll be outside all day long, working in the garden, going for nature walks, playing in the river. (could it be that I’m trying to get out of that Feb FunK?) So that means we’ll need hats.

I made this one for Iz last spring:

and it actually fits her perfectly this year.

I picked up some lovely remnants at Osgoods the other day, some really fabulous geometrics that would make excellent hats. I’ll make a few more this year, with Iz being a lot more active, I’m sure we’ll leave a few behind. I’d like to have one or two, and Rob could probably use one too.

I’m teaching a bucket hat class in March. Since this hat is like “magic”, the class is “Sew With ME!!: Make a Bucket Hat” and is geared to adult/child pair stitchers (all ages are welcome). We’ll measure our heads and make our own patterns then stitch up a loverly hat. The class is Sunday, March 2, 9-12 at LuckyStitches. I hope you’ll join me!

Learning To Sew

Published on February 23, 2008 in Learning To Sew, about me, inspiration, sewing and sewing with kids. 1 Comment

I don’t remember too well how it was that I learned to sew. I remember a coloring book page of Red Riding Hood, a needle and red thread, and stitching along the lines. Then I remember cross stitching Christmas ornaments. After that was the little pink pant suit I made. I was 7. I have really, really fond memories of the fabric store. Flipping through the pattern books, writing down the numbers, picking out the fabric, waiting in long lines to have the fabric cut and cash out.

I’ve been inspired by and learned an awful lot from my creative students whether they be wee ones or big ones. I’ve realized that these beginner stitchers have to want to learn to sew. If they don’t there is just no point. But sometimes, they don’t know that they want to learn to sew because they think that it’s too hard to try, the don’t know already so they won’t try, or it’s a girls thing and they (some girls and most boys) won’t participate.

I try to think what sparked my interest. I can tell you first, it was the print and color, then the texture of the fabric (who remembers shopping with mom and hiding in the racks and LOVING the fabric? ), then the making of things as well as the machine itself. Plus I LOVED the sewing kit. All those yummy little precious things in there.

Whenever I come across someone who won’t try the machine or seems bored with the idea of sewing something, I tempt them with little facts about sewing. The other day it was a young boy. He wasn’t so thrilled with the idea of sewing a tote bag. Not thrilled at all. He’d never used a sewing machine before. He’d done some hand sewing, but not the machine. Ugh. Not a happy face. So, I showed him the bobbin assembly. It comes OUT of the machine. End of story. He made a really fabulous tote bag. Plus as soon as another machine hit a snag – he was there to fix it.

I also taught some machine sewing at the local prison. At first, I couldn’t get 10 volunteers. There was just no way anybody was going to sew. After a few minutes, I convinced the 10 I needed just to try it. I demoed the machines, got each one threading the machine and before you knew it, 20 more guys had wandered into the room. What was it? Clearly for the inmates it was the act of making. Just getting a few to sit down and try it was enough to convince the others to get their stitch on. One said to me that learning to sew was good for him on the “inside” as well as the “outside”. Once they got over their fear, they were able to thread machines and sew tote bags. There is something wonderfully therapeutic in the act of making things. Thankfully the program has taken off, and with the help of volunteers, the inmates can sew on a weekly basis.

Sew, it’s a different reason for everybody. I have several reasons for sewing: I need something, I want something, I want to give something, or I dream of something and just have to make it. There is quite a wonderful sense of accomplishment that comes to those who have taught themselves or learned to sew and to be able to make something from 2d fabric and turn it into an object with shape and a new and exciting purpose.

Jeans – A Work In Progress

Published on February 18, 2008 in LuckyStitches, LuckyStitches Jean Class, Perfect Jeans, WIP, sewing and sewing patterns. 2 Comments

Our wardrobes are always a work in progress – no? Our bodies changing, fashions changing, our styles evolving. We’ve been working on our jeans over the past few weeks.

I know – jeans are s-c-a-r-y, but NO! Sure, it’s a lot of sewing, and you need to know what to do to adjust the fit, but so worth it. I can’t wait to show you the finished fit. (I am already planning my many other pairs…)

Tissue Fit : Getting our patterns ready to try own before we cut the muslin.

Working on our muslins : Adding 1″ seam allowance so we can fit once we’ve basted them together. (tip -use denim to make your muslin, regular cotton muslin isn’t as sturdy as denim. Use denim, it will help with the fit)

Sewing : sewing sewing sewing the muslin. Jeans take a lot of sewing time…

Fit : Trying on the muslin – and going for a closer fit than this… and it’s not stretch.

Deciding that we should add a fly front to these jeans.

Mine are almost done. Black stretch corduroy. I have to tell you that the method used in the pattern I’m using is the EASIEST fly front I’ve ever done. A BREEZE. I’m not quite done, there’s still another step for the fly, but it was quick and easy and looks so great – I had to take a pic to show you. It’s a Vogue Pattern 7608. Worth it for the fly instructions alone.

Monthly Archive for February, 2008

200th Post-O-Rama Giveaway

Bubbles

Winter Days

Mei Tai Baby Carrier

Class Updates

Esty Love – Hats

Library Loot

Hats – or Getting Ready For Spring

Learning To Sew

Jeans – A Work In Progress

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