Convertible Art Smock

I made this child’s convertible art smock from the book One Yard Wonders. Then I met a group of Stapleton Mommies for a sewing craft night and showed them how to make their own. I think it is a really great gift idea. Fill it with some simple paint brushes, paint and paper and it is a sweet gift for a special little person.

Salida, Colorado is a charming town. We stayed one night in this little mountain town a few weeks back, somewhat accidentally. We had planned a three day family trip to The Great Sand Dunes. I was prepared for hot hot sun and cold snow melt water to play in. Instead we had freezing rain and wind. W I N D!!!! Wind blowing the sand with such force that it was stinging any exposed skin. We left. We headed to Salida and a Super 8 with an indoor pool for the girls. We had a great time. The town has a handful of restaurants and boutiques lining Main Street. The Arkansas River runs through town and there is a lovely little park and amphitheater overlooking it. We arrived in town late in the evening, so by the time we finished our delicious pizza at Amicas there was just enough time to do a little shopping at Fringe. Fringe is a great store full of fabrics, patterns, yarn and handmade local gifts. I purchased this charm pack and a pattern designed by a local fiber artist for making this huge tote bag.

Vintage Singer Touch N' Sew

I made myself a pair of really rockin ruffled pants. These are going to be a favorite for a long time.

I was poking around Craigslist one day and came across this amazing 1964 Singer Touch & Sew! I couldn’t believe it. It is in a cabinet and had the original manual and all the accessories!

Have I mentioned that I am teaching sewing classes at Fancy Tiger?! If you don’t already know about this Denver gem, you should go check it out. If you sew, knit, embroider, crochet….craft, you will LOVE this store. They offer great classes. Here is their current Summer Schedule.

One of the classes I will be teaching crafty women to make is this adorable A-Line skirt. It is based on the Amy Butler Barcelona skirt and is a breeze to make. There is no lining and the zipper is on the side instead of the back. Super easy and cute for summer days.

Here is the version I made for myself out of a Marimekko fabric I found on a trip to Texas.

I fell in love with these scarves. I knew I had to make one for my Mom too! I added vintage buttons.

Springtime always seems like a busy time of year. Along with Easter projects, veggie garden planning, birthdays (BIG 40 for me and an even BIGGER 5 for Mira!) and getting used to the new groove after the long slow winter months, I have also been busy sewing up some clothes for myself.
Of course I am also slowly working on my self taught fashion design course work. So I decided to take advantage of sketching some of the looks I am sewing up. Now I need to take the plunge and design and draft my own creations. Maybe for some new summer fashion. Of course I am still dreaming about being a Project Runway contestant. I just missed the deadline for Season 8 applications…Season 9 HERE I COME!!! I have a year and a good friend to motivate me.

Oh, and if you are wondering about those fashion sketches. I started out with these great FREE croquis that are available from Hokey Croquis!

Denim Pencil Skirt

Teal Maxi Dress

80's Revival Tunic

Smashing Smock with Parsley the Hen

Seams to Me

Smashing Smock 2

I did it. I made another Smashing Smock from the Seams to Me pattern book by Anna Maria Horner. Remember this? This time I made it out of a cherished piece of vintage fabric given to me by one of my favorite people in the whole world, Lois Hartman. If you don’t already know who she is, you can read more about her here. She has changed the way I parent and the way I look at life. She is an amazing woman and I can’t say enough about her. I love her.

Anyway, back to the smock. Isn’t it cute and perfect for spring/summer picnics in the park? This pattern is a good go-to pattern when you want to highlight a great piece of fabric that you don’t have tons of. It is also a dream to stitch up. Easy and fits well.

I had such a wonderful time participating in the Winter Vintage Swap. My swap partner sent me the loveliest treasures.

I was also the very fortunate winner of a ridiculously cool vintage clutch. It is going to go perfectly with some of my new Spring frocks I am making. The very fun and Funky Mommy Teena has an incredible eye for vintage goods. Check out her Etsy store and her blog LittleBird for inspiration and shopping. Happy Spring!
Oh, take a look at what was inside the clutch! How did Teena know that old wooden spools of colorful thread would make me scream with delight!

Vintage Wooden Spools & Thread

Vintage Giveaway Clutch

The 2010 Winter Vintage Swap just came to an end and just take a look at what arrived in the mail for me this weekend! Thank you Erin!
The fabric and notions were her grandmother’s. I know just what I want to make from the wonderful brown and cream yardage. It would make a lovely Schoolhouse Tunic. I can’t wait. The other two pieces are just as sweet and I am sure will find their way into various sewing projects around here.
She also sent vintage photos. I love vintage photos and the ones of the houses are my favorites. Lovely.
Also, this book. One of my partner’s favorites. I am excited to read it and look what I found tucked in one of the pages….a four leaf clover. Sweet!