Calaveras Tunic

Last year I picked up a vintage Vogue pattern at Brimfield with Elizabeth. I don't normally do much apparel sewing, but this looked pretty easy and reminded me of something Mrs. Roper on Three's Company would wear, so how could I resist.

Fast forward a year and Elizabeth and I were wandering around Franklin Mills and I found this great Alexander Henry "Indigo Skull" fabric on the sale rack. Again, how could I resist? Even though I didn't know what I was going to do with it, I needed to have it. And then I recalled the tunic pattern and got to sewing the very next weekend.

It came together in a few hours with relatively few issues. I had to get out the sewing machine manual to remind myself how to do a blind hem and I modified the sleeves a bit so they weren't quite so gigantic. I made the sash with a yellow fat quarter I had from a collection of Amish solids (you never know where you're going to find that piece of fabric you need in your stash). Overall, very pleased with the result!

References:
Brimfield Antique Show
Elizabeth's Blog
Franklin Mill Store
Alexander Henry Fabric

Day of the Dead (wiki)

Secret Valentines

My secret valentine sent me a great quilt tools travel bag filled with good stuff:

And here's the mini-quilt I sent my secret valentine. The pattern is called 'Box of Chocolates'. I got it from the book 'Bits and Pieces: 18 Small Quilts From Fat Quarters and Scraps' by Karen Costello Soltys.

Birthday Handmade Goodness!

Lizap surprised me for my birthday with a beautiful hand-knit scarf. Love the wavy pattern and colors. She told me she thought they looked like my colors and she's right! I put it on immediately, as it coordinated with what I was wearing and wore it back to work. Co-workers commented, "the colors are totally you, but the style has Elizabeth written all over it". Thanks Elizabeth!

Olive also appreciates quality handmade items as well (though she was only allowed to wear it to model for this photo).