Feeling Inspired!

Oh my goodness. Now this is a project I can relate to (not actually accomplish, mind you). Have any of you read the awesome blog The Sew Weekly?

Well, Mena Trott decided a couple years ago to sew all her own clothes (with a few minor exceptions). Isn't that a lovely idea? {She calls it the slow clothes movement and I totally get that. As a slow food enthusiast, I can heartily say I'm a proponent of slow in all possible forms.} And, lucky for us, she's been documenting this sewing adventure on her blog, where this week's inspiration is found.

Here are a few of my favorite Make This Look posts:

Day After Day Dress

Make Fleur Own Music Dress

Lemonade at Lunch Dress

Indigo Denim Prom Dress

Forever Lime Dress

These posts include information about where to get the patterns, fabric, and the original dress (as well as the retail price, which always puts things in perspective). While Mena doesn't go through the whole process with us, she does offer very insightful tips for working with the pattern she used. It's really just the right amount of information, in my opinion.

Seriously, I'm so inspired by this woman that I might actually, finally make a dress for myself! {Shocking, I know!}

Happy sewing!

Feeling Inspired!

I think someone at Ikea has been spying on me.

We've got a growing family and a house that stubbornly refuses to get any larger, so we've been trying to get creative about how we use our space.

And what do you know? The latest Ikea catalog is all about transforming small spaces.

True, true, Ikea has pretty much always been the best source for outfitting small spaces in style—without breaking the bank—but this particular catalog really got my attention.

I love this space because I'm always stumped by big open spaces without defining walls. And this one—I love the trio of funky lamps! Kinda unrelated, but how cute is it that in these two, it's the papas who are comforting the babies? And this kitchen is awesome, and itty bitty!

And then, how about this super cute duvet? It won't change the way you use your space, but it's pretty darn cute!

Eivor Leva Duvet and Pillowcase Set

Or this one:

Torva Trädgård Duvet and Pillowcase

And I love this rug. My kids would have a hey day with the light background, but for someone else...

Eivor Crikel Rug

I love a good old reality check. Just when you've decided that the only solution is to move to a bigger house, along comes a whole bunch of inspirational ideas!

Happy crafting!

What Would You Do?

Handknit throw from Sundance

Scoop it up—on sale for $99—or make your own?

Yep, me too.

Happy knitting!

Well, well, well...

It looks like someone decided to take a month off from blogging. Wish I could say it was because I was kicking back with a tall glass of lemonade, lazily reading a fabulous summertime novel, but alas, no. I actually don't have any explanation at all. It's just summer. And it's busy, busy, busy (isn't summer supposed to be relaxing, relaxing, relaxing?)!

One of the many lovely things we did during that little blogging hiatus is visit four different parks around Portland that are large enough to have hiking trails within their boundaries. And what did we take on our adventures? The super awesome Naturlist's Scavenger Hunt Bag from Meg's Growing Up Sew Liberated.

{Image from the book: Growing Up Sew Liberated}

And let me tell you, they were put to good use. We collected a number of treasures, which all nestled comfortably beside snack bags and canteens.

This is a fabulous pattern in a fabulous book, which I'm finally going to have in the shop as soon as the new site is up (yay!). So if you just can't wait until September (and who could blame you?) the book can be found on Meg's web site, currently offered at $2 off the regular price and with a free pattern thrown in for good measure!

Happy sewing!