ANOTHER CATCH UP!

WARNING: LENGTHY POST AND LOTS OF PICTURES!

That's what happens when I let 3 weeks go by between posts...I have been busy and actually have some clothes to show for it!

But first...a few pictures of our redecorated bedroom wing. We finally got the painting we wanted for over the fireplace

It's called Spiral Dance; the artist is Seyburn Zorthian whose wonderful painting
I bought 25 years ago and is over our living room fireplace.

(Remember when the contents of our closets were in the living room?)

Seyburn is a friend of ours; we love her work and are enjoying waking up in the morning to the sight of her Spiral Dance.

A few more pictures of the bedroom

The antique Katagami stencils above our bed were used to stencil family crests on clothing and goods in 19th century Japan.

These are old purses and bags I've collected on our travels; I hung them in the hall so I can see them every day. The color we used in the bedroom wing is very

difficult to photograph...the pictures of the bedroom show a more realistic color

match.

So...on to sewing! I made another pair of Marcy Tilton's Vogue 8929 pants,

although for my 4th pair I changed them enough that she might not recognize them!

The fabric is an abstract print stretch denim from Emma One Sock.

They're very comfortable and the type of pants  I wear most days.

I made another pair of loose harem-y pants from Sandra Betzina's V1355,

using a dreamy Ella Moss rayon challis from Hart's Fabric. This fabric is so perfect for travel to hot climates (India, I'm talking about you!) that I just ordered some more for another shirt.

I'm wearing a batwing tee with them...!

And for my final submission, I made yet another version of B5526...

in a wonderful French Circles and Squares crinkled jacquard from Emma One Sock. I am wearing it here with Eileen Fisher's Slouchy Ankle Pant in Silk Georgette, another supremely comfortable pant.

Well, if you've stayed with me this long, THANK YOU! I'll try not to stockpile

post material again...

TTYL

SPRING DOTS

Although it's only March 8th, we in California are basking in temperatures in the 70's and 80's...(sorry, friends in frigid places...) Although we have been known to have SNOW in March (very unusual), there is no way I can sew winter-weight
fabrics any more. SO...

This is Vogue 8982  by Marcy Tilton, a pattern that's been in my sights for a while. It has some unusual seaming and begged for the right fabric to try it out.

This is a wonderful stretch denim, also from Marcy; it's black with gray dots, reversing to gray with black dots. I used the reverse side subtly, as piping on the back seam lines, at the wrists, and edging the collar and front. 

I'm very pleased with it...it's a perfect weight, goes with many of my pants, and I'll wear it tomorrow to lunch with a friend who is celebrating her birthday.

I'm joining the Visible Women over at the fortnightly party at Not Dead Yet Style; Patti hosts this gathering place for those of us who choose not to be invisible. Come see!

TTYL

COCKER SPANIEL VEST...

You've heard of poodle cloth, right?

vintage poodle cloth coat on Etsy

Well, I just made a Cocker Spaniel Cloth vest...

My friend Patti Ferguson was given some fabrics and she just KNEW that this wool boucle knit had my name on it. Dave took one look at it and said "it looks just like Paddywack!", and indeed it does. He IS my fashion accessory, after all...

I used an out of print Burda pattern, 8296, View A

The wrong side of the boucle knit was attractive, so I reversed the facing on the lapels so that I could wear it open if I choose...

With our current schizophrenic weather, it provides a warm layer for those half-hour segments of the day when it's cold outside.

Besides spending time in the studio, I tried a new recipe which immediately took

on 5-star status...

It's "Crispy Za'atar Fish with Israeli Couscous, Swiss Chard and Feta" from

Epicurious. YUM!

I found this the other day while fashion-surfing...

an excellent reason for sewing my own clothes...$250 for sweatpants?

The lovely Judith of the Style Crone blog is hosting her monthly Hat Attack

party, so I reached into my closet and pulled out this:

It's a handsome hat from the Fulani tribe which I bought many moons ago

in Mali, in West Africa. I love items of clothing which can be wall decorations as well as being

worn!

Here's a picture of my little guy having a nap on his tempurpedic pillow...

TTYL...