the happy place

We'll be taking off on a little trip tomorrow. I know it will cheer me up and we will have a great time.

The ipod is fully stocked and I can't wait to listen to this:

I won't need any warm sweaters.

Neither will the kids.

I am off to dig in the stash to find me some vacation knitting! Pictures of the happy place will follow in about two weeks.

Wishing you a good time wherever you are!

the blues

The unspeakable happened - I did not sell a single dress. Not one.

Total frustration took over and I comforted myself with a soothing dive into my blues.

You get the picture...

almost ready

Too bad this is the last batch of dresses, because by now my girl actually enjoys modeling for me -- even though she'd never admit that she does!

This one is obviously way too big, would be better fitting for a 10 year old. I really love how the skirt with the pocket turned out, which I incorporated from the original ladies skirt:

Glitter on this one, and an A-line skirt:

Another cute one with the tied shoulder straps, but too small for my girl:


White and pink, the hem with a silk ribbon - for all the girlie girls out there:

This last one will be indeed the last one, just needs to be assembled. I love the skirt!

--- Off to do the tags.

Wishing you all a good weekend!

six to go

Apparently Sundays are free of charge.

Looks like she even had fun, right?!

fair trade

Even though my girl generally enjoys having her picture taken, she doesn't like to model in specific clothes, even more when changing is involved. And, boy, did I want her to model the new "green line" dresses for me.
I am creative, I grab a chance when I get it, so today...

"Mom, where is my bacon?" (that being said one hour after I called and asked if she wanted some)
"It's gone."
"But I wanted some!"
"Sorry, when you didn't come, we ate it all!"
~~~~~whining~~~~~crying~~~~~~
"I want bacon!"

Me, in my mind "Ha!!"
Out loud "Okay, I'll fix you some bacon, but only if you model the new dresses...!"
(Sneaky, huh?!)

You have to know, that I have not made bacon in years, so the advantage was clearly on my side, the appetite for the stuff fueled by deprivation, didn't matter that it was "just" turkey bacon!

I am not yet done with my sewing, hopefully there will be more modeled shots. Probably bacon won't work, so I'll have to come up with a new tactic!

So far the purple one is her favorite, but she has already stated, that she wants all the dresses, that don't sell at the Hip Stitch "Hipsters Craft Fair"!

That's my girl...!

it's all about the sheep - almost

Summer break is in full swing.

The weather is splendid and perfect for daily dips in the pool. Breakfast is outside. Allways.
We stay up late and sleep in.
The kids have playdates. Almost every day.
The cats are happy, because everyone is around.

I went on my first run on the trails. Don't ask.

But it is just as beautiful as ever.

We went on a great little trip to Las Golondrinas and ran into their first ever Fiber Fest. Lots of yarn, spinning fibers and fiber related activities, including sheep shearing.

If I had to imagine a sheep shearer, he'd have to look like this gentleman, don't you agree?

Of course I could not resist and came home with more fibers, some of it I've already spun - I think even though it is just a picture, you can tell how soft this is - 100% angora fibers!

The knitting has slowed down tremendously since I'm back from Germany, three cardigans finished there, just buttons to add and I am thrilled about possibly adding some of Mary's latest creations!

I am still able to work a few stitches every day, so the next fluffyness is growing.

Also did I start sewing the "green line" dresses, where recycled fabric skirts are added on to handknit tops.

The idea to use recycled women's garment was born through my sweet Fiona's wish/demand for flowy, drapy skirts. It called for rayon fabric, but that is very hard/near impossible to find in stores. However, a lot of woman's dresses or skirts, produced f.ex. in India, are made from rayon fabric and are easily available in thrift stores, if you are willing to spend some time and effort to search, clean and reconstruct.

Usually I tend to accumulate a stash of dresses/skirts and dress tops (most of those knitted by my mom) before I start playing with different colors and patterns and try various combinations of skirts and tops, fun and definitely my favorite part in the whole process.

This is the first dress of the season.

What can I say... thank you, Goodwill!

But guess what...

I had a playdate, too.

While I was in Germany my friend Amber bought fluff - fleeces straight from the sheep, Rambouillet and Rambouillet cross, and yesterday we had our first go with the fine, soft, crimpy, smelly, greasy fluff that came from Princess. What a suitable name for the first ever bought fleece!

We worked on the husband's new ping pong table in the garage and it took us a bit over two joyful hours to sort through everything. - One fleece of four that is.

We planned to go for the next one in a week.

Earl, that'll be you!