Lulu Bliss

Short and Sweet...

I am going to keep this post short, because I have had this nasty cold and I am really far behind with work (since I missed both Monday and Tuesday).  The long Thanksgiving weekend was nice and pretty mellow, which was what I needed.  I didn't get a whole lot done, but I managed to squeeze some shopping in and get some craft organizing done. 

I don't usually go to any of the after Thanksgiving sales, because I just can't stand the crowds.  Saturday morning I needed to kill some time while my Sweetie had a work obligation.  So I stopped into Joann's, just to browse!  They were having an amazing sale and I came away with all of this:

Gingher pinking shears, a pinking blade for my rotary cutter, glass head pins and a 1/2" bias binding maker (not pictured) - these were all 50% off!  The Vogue patterns were and even better deal at $3.99 each, so I had to buy up some of the Vintage Vogue styles that I have had my eye on.  I normally wouldn't buy these patterns at $25.00 each, but at $3.99 each, I couldn't pass them up.  I got 3 full skirted 1950's patterns (V2561, V2902 and V2960), that I may combine certain elements from them for my wedding dress and a 1940's dress pattern (V2876) that has some great details at the neck and waist.  I am so happy with my purchase. 

I am going to a craft supply swap this coming weekend and needed to get together some craft supplies I want to swap.  I didn't have time to go through all of my craft supplies and decided to focus on just my yarn stash.  I have wanted to organize it for a long time, but since my move to San Jose, most of my craft stuff is still in the basement, so I haven't been to motivated to organize any of it.  This was the perfect chance to get a big portion of it done...

Before/During:

After:

What a huge difference!!  The two bags of yarn are what I am taking to the swap.  The rest is now put in plastic containers and I can actually see what I have!  There are still two cardboard boxes of yarn (not pictured), but I labeled what was in them so I know exactly where all my yarn is.  It is a great feeling.  Now, I just need to get the rest of the craft supplies organized.   

Let the wedding stuff begin...

I have vowed not to fall into that whole wedding industry crapola!  I did have a weak moment and bought a Martha Stewart Weddings magazine, what a waste of $6!  For me, there was nothing inspiring or original in it and most of the articles are available on-line, for free.  The ads in the magazines alone, are enough to make me sick.  SO, NO MORE BRIDAL MAGAZINES ALLOWED!!! 

Since I am going to make my own dress, I tried looking at the overall silhouettes of the dresses in the MSW magazine, to get some sort of idea/inspiration of what I want.  Boy, was that a mistake! What is it with all the frothy, strapless, expensive and horribly ugly dresses?  I know everyone has different tastes, but all the dresses look so similar, are so expensive, and look very cheap.  I know I have a different take on this than most people, but being a pattern maker with almost 15 years experience in the garment industry has made me hyper critical of fit and construction.  Don't get me wrong, there are beautiful, more traditional wedding dresses out there.  Most of the ones I have seen are custom made by small independent designers. 

On a happier wedding note... Here are a couple of resources that are more up my alley:

I got my mitts on both of these recently released books, without having to spend a dime! 

The DIY Wedding book, by Kelly Bare, was given to me by my friend Natalie (she wrote the forward for the book and is giving away a free copy of it on her blog).  I have been waiting for this book to come out, so I could buy it!  But last weekend, while I was at Natalie's house, looking through her bookshelf, I saw her copy of it and asked to borrow it.  She laughed and said I could keep it.  After all she got married last year and I am the one who needs to start planning my wedding.  I haven't finished reading it yet, but it is great!  There are so many good ideas and resources, that I know it will be an invaluable book for me to have.  Of the two books this is more of a "how-to".  It touches on all of the big components that make up your wedding (planning, what to wear, invites, food, drink, music, photos, flowers, etc.) and gives you ways to make each of those as DIY as you want.

Offbeat Bride, by Ariel Meadow Stallings, I just got last night from the library.  I started reading it this morning on my commute and I am really enjoying it.  This book is more of what her personal experiences were with having a non-traditional wedding, while offering tips and ideas from other "offbeat brides".  Ariel also has a blog on her website with a lot of info and pictures from offbeat weddings.  It is very inspirational, to see the vastly different and non-traditional weddings (even if they all may not be your taste). 

Both books emphasize planning a wedding that expresses who you and your soon to be spouse are, not what tradition or some crazy wedding planner tells you you should be.  HALLELUJAH!

My Love Affair with Thrifting

My Sweetie and I, love to go to shopping at thrift stores, we go whenever we can.  For me the love started in 7th grade when I went to a Salvation Army with a friend and her mother.  I was a bit apprehensive and probably a little embarrassed to dive in and sort through all the clothing, so I went to the purse bins.  I picked through them for a while and pulled out this crazy flying saucer looking vintage black suede and leather handbag.  I loved it instantly, but still wasn't sure about if I would actually use it, then I looked at the price tag... It was marked twenty-five cents!  I was sold on the purse and on thrift stores from that day forward.  I used that purse to death and had to retire it after 10 plus years.  I think I still have that purse, somewhere in storage, if I find it someday I will post of picture of it.

I have always loved clothes, but growing up in a single parent household with not a lot of disposable income, I didn't get to buy new clothes a lot. In fact I think the only time we would go shopping for new clothes was for back to school every year.  My mom is an amazing seamstress, so for clothing we could  afford or that wasn't an everyday basic type of item, she would whip up something special for me.  As I got older and wanted more pricey clothing (I remember begging to be taken to the Esprit outlet for school shopping) and not wanting mom to make me anything (how embarrassing to show up to school in homemade clothing!!!), I think thrift stores satisfied my clothing jones.  I also discoverd my appreciation and love for vintage clothing.  I could go on an on about this subject, but let's get to the stuff I found this past weekend:

Pink ,orange and green tweedy silk suit, this suit is amazing!  It has a short sleeve dress with scalloping at the waist and bust, just like the jacket. The only bummer is that the dress just doesn't fit me right and the way it is constructed and designed won't work for the alterations that need to be made.  I don't know what to do, keep it and make the dress into a skirt or sell it to someone else.  It is so well made, here is a close up of the some nice details, you just don't see on new clothing.

The buttonholes are bound by hand and the bottom one is even placed at the scalloped seam, so it almost disappears.  There is also a snap at the hem of the jacket and a tiny button the top of the placket (right under the collar) that are both covered in the fabulous pink silk lining fabric. 

Then there is the funky turquoise handmade house coat.  Not sure what I am going to do with this, I just bought it for the fabric.  The best part about this house coat, is when I brought it home and tried it on before throwing it into the washer, I checked the pockets and found this...

It is a super cute souvenir hankie from Paris.  Don't you just love the graphics on it?  You never know what you are going to find when shopping at the thrift store.

Weekend Wrap-up

Why are weekends never long enough? I wish all weekends were 3 days, I didn't get a 3 day weekend this weekend, like my sweetie did... It is very hard to go to work Monday morning knowing he gets another day off to do whatever he wants. At least we got to spend most of this weekend together.

Friday night, we dragged ourselves out to see Big Sandy and His Fly Rite Boys at Don Quixotes in Felton. It was hard getting out the door of the house, since last week was such a long one. But, boy am I glad we went! Every time I go to one of Big Sandy's shows I have a great time. They are one of my very favorites bands and I never get tired of seeing them. Anyhow, we stayed out way too late and Saturday got off to a slow start. Saturday morning was my typical morning of running errands, then we went to my Sweeties favorite thrift store and the library. I found some good stuff at the thrift store and will post about my finds soon. Saturday night we were both wiped out, so we stayed home and spent a very mellow evening together. Every Sunday I make some sort of dish that we can have the rest of the week for either dinner or lunch, since I have no time to cook during the week. I had some shrimp and wanted to make some sort of casserole with it. I found this recipe and made the following modifications, to make it a bit more interesting and slightly healthier:

substituted the clam juice for white wine and whole wheat pasta for the regular type
added about an extra 1/4 cup of chicken stock
used 2 cups of fat free half and half
added 1 cup of non-fat milk
added 1 shallot (minced)
added 2 small jalapenos (minced)
added 1 small red bell pepper (diced)
added 2 6oz. cans of crab meat
added about 1/2 package of 16 oz frozen spinach
added one handful of shredded carrots

It turned out so yummy, I don't think it will last.

What I am reading now.

A few weeks ago I was browsing my favorite blogs and came across this post from Alicia Paulson.  She describes the book, The Gentle Art of Domesticity by Jane Brocket, perfectly and I knew I had to have it.  I instantly went onto Amazon.co.uk and ordered this puppy.  About a week later the book arrived at work and it doesn't disappoint!  I had a hard time waiting until I was finished with work to really look at it and start reading.  It is such a treat for your eyes, all the images are gorgeous and colorful.  The writing in very engaging and witty, Jane makes me wish she were one of my close friends.  I am trying to read this veeerrrryyy slowly, so I can savor everything in it.  You can read more about Jane on her blog Yarnstorm.  Here are a few of my favorite images from the book:

I had such a hard time picking just a few of my favorite images, there are so many more.  You have to get this book if you are interested in any of the home arts (baking, quilting, knitting, embroidery) that make your house feel like a home.  She also talks about her favorite books, movies and artwork.  Such a well rounded life. 

Then there is of course the new issue of Craft (#5), that has a ton of fun things to make and do for the holidays.  The main theme of this issue is paper projects, but of course they include projects for sewing, crocheting  and a whole bunch of other great stuff to check out.  As usual, there is something for everyone. 

I am alive and ready to start posting again!

WOW!  I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted.  Where did the time go?  So much has happened, but I have to admit not a lot of crafting has been going on.  I moved from Oakland to San Jose at the beginning of August and I am still adjusting to it.  I love the fact I get to see my sweetie every single day, instead of just on the weekends.  I don't love my THREE hour round-trip commute to SF everyday.  The commute has been one of the hardest adjustments, that and not having six closets to myself.  Oh, how I miss my six closets.  The closet space was the biggest reason why I took my little one bedroom apartment in Oakland.  I had two closets for my clothes, a coat closet, a linen/shoe closet, a purse closet and my favorite was my walk-in craft closet (with built in shelves and drawers)!  Now, I have one closet.  It is a decent size closet, that my sweetie gave up for me.  He let me design the lay-out of the closet, because it originally only had a single bar and shelf that just wasn't the best use of space.  Now it fits most of my clothes, some purses and shoes.  Our little house is definitely lacking storage space, or maybe we just have to much crap.  I think it is a combo of both issues! 

OK, enough of my random closet rant... Now for the big news! 

WE ARE ENGAGED!  He proposed to me at the end of August.  It was a perfect day and I will have to post about that soon.  But we are planning to get married sometime next summer.  I am sure I will be posting a lot about the wedding, because we plan on doing most of it ourselves.  We both don't want a big expensive formal affair and the whole wedding industry makes my skin crawl (this could lead me to another rant, maybe at a later date).  Anyhow, I know I will be making my own dress and that's about all I know right now.  I enjoyed making Olivia's wedding dress, even if it was stressful it turned out beautifully, if I do say so myself:

Sorry for the poor quality of the image, I need to get a decent picture of Olivia's entire dress.  BTW, Skip and Olivia's one year wedding anniversary is coming up on 11/11/07! 

I promise I will be posting more and they won't be four months apart!