mini purse #2

ok, here's the friday mini purse. i'm trying out a different shape and more sturdy handle. the thing i would change this time would be the tail. i really need to find a fluffy fabric that contrasts but still looks, you know, cute!

lovely day, lovely light

It was such a beautiful summer day. The afternoon light was just perfect for photographs. I got some pretty ones of the baby.

I loved Lynne's sweet, little purse. I wish I had one to carry my old man wallet and my cell phone. My sister is constantly teasing me about my ugly, black wallet. It has three leather pages that hold all my credit cards, my medical cards, my dental cards, my library card, my metro card, my spare car key, pictures of my kids, old receipts, and noteworthy business cards. Then there are two separate pouches for my money. I usually don't have more than three dollars, but when I do, boy this wallet is stuffed like Templeton after a night at the fair! How can I possibly use such a wallet in the grocery store? I have two options: either I hide it away in my black hole diaper bag, and wrestle that monstrous sack into the store, or I opt for the simpler solution of carrying the boy wallet under my armpit. After all, I need my hands free to shop. Well, it seems like I need a sweet little girl purse to hold my essentials...

mini purse #1

first try of the mini-purse. i lined it with blue little bird fabric and used my press to print a bunny on the khaki fabric with fabric paint. i think the next go-round of this i will use a fluffier white fabric for the tail, and use white thread for the applique (i thought it might look interesting with the brown, but i think just weird). another change would be the strap - i like the pom-poms but it needs to be more substantial. but, i guess a good sign for the concept is that the three year old tried to confiscate it from me!

an ever-evolving corner of my house

My living room started out purple. This was the former owner's look.

Next came the linen paint and linen roman shades.

Eventually came new sofas, a fuzzy carpet, and paintings above the fireplace, followed by a mosaic glass coffee table (which I will explain in a future post.)

What will this corner of my house look like tomorrow?

patterns

check out these patterns i'm borrowing from my mother-in-law, who had the foresight to save most patterns she's sewn (which is a lot - she's a very talented seamstress). i can't wait to get a minute (one day...) at my sewing machine...

a cheery summer outfit

I sewed up this simple shirt and skirt yesterday. Inspired by an antique French shirt, I made these patterns myself. The fabric is Windham from purlsoho.com .

corner of my home + a purse

thank goodness, the picture-posting feature on blogger wasn't working for me for the last couple of days (i read that there was a glitch for those folks who use macs) but now it seems to be up and running again!

so, here is a purse i made for a friend

and a picture from the baby's room.

people that I know

Volia my submission for the May art challenge of portraits. This is a bit unconventional perhaps, but I like unconventional. The word for the day is metonymy. For any of you who have studied literature, in the broad sense this means "a part to represent the whole". This concept could be a good spark for many creative endeavors. Below are a series of sketches of eyes of people that I know. For those of you who know me or my family personally, you might recognize these eyes. It would be fun to extend this and sketch a family tree of eyes, or noses or hands. Whose eyes do you have? Your moms? your dads? your uncle Joe's? I think I have my mom's...

Papa and Maman at home

I found these posters at an outdoor market in Dijon. These were didactical posters used in schools during the 50's (I think). I love the second one with the papa who has returned from work. I love his French mustache and beret. Notice the old stove and hot water heater above the sink. Some French families still have these. This looks like such a peaceful, clean domestic scene. Where are the random legos, stuffed animals, and library books littering the floor? What a dream to even have the dad home for dinner time.

sculpture

Look at this - my friend Lora's mother is working on this in her scupture class. Isn't it amazing? Look at all of those layers. I hope she sends us a picture of her finished product...

a grey dress for a bright yellow day

It was such a beautiful day today. I sewed this dress together this afternoon during my girls' nap time. It is mostly grey with a bit of yellow cotton fabric in the inside lining and two yellow buttons on the outside. A bit of serious, a bit of cheer. I found the shirt at a second-hand store in France. It has tiny, tiny buttons and a small refined peter-pan collar.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!! i hope everyone gets good long naps today. Because as far as I'm concerned that's what mother's day is all about.

Welcome back Melissa!! Your photos are amazing -- those french are just so effortlessly chic. It kills me. I'm glad you had a great trip!! I can't wait to talk to you so I can hear more about it!!

I'm posting 3 pictures: baby foot, because I just can't pass up a shot of a sweet tiny foot; 2 - inside a pouch i made for a friend, because I really love this fabric! (and of course the friend i made it for!) and 3 - our table for mother's day brunch yesterday for my mother-in-law. we made little menus for everyone and the 6 year old was our fabulous waiter. until he lost interest. which was very quickly.

some carved wonders

These are four carved wonders I saw in Dijon. There were many more. What a simple pleasure to view such lovely doors.

My first portrait

this is a portrait that i found, done by my three-year old. i suspect this may be a depiction of me.

julia's GORGEOUS centerpieces!

Wow!!! Look at how beautiful our wonderful friend julia's wedding centerpieces will be!!! i love how the plant wraps around the stems like that! so simple, so pretty! a word about julia: she is our friend that steve works with, and is just one amazing gal. not only is she super-smart doctor woman, but she's a great artist (she can whip out tongue-depressor animal drawings in about four seconds, and that's the least of her talents!) thanks for sending the picture, julia! i love it!