I meant to post this picture before Christmas, but got sidetracked from all of the action:

I love these stockings. Check out the other cute-as-a-button items (including buttons, incidentally) from rikrak creations.

I'm now back in Philly after a nice long trip home to see my family. We hadn't been back for a year, so it was great to see grandmas and grandpas and babies and old friends. It was also funny to sleep in complete darkness (and silence!) and to be reminded of how no one in my hometown locks their doors.

I've spent a million hours working on new packaging for the patterns- after three years it's time for a freshen-up. I'm trying to narrow down color choice right now. I'm not a graphic designer (I know this is probably painfully obvious) but I really do enjoy fudging around with this stuff.

Happy new year everyone. Can't wait to see what this year brings.

Marimekko at H&M.

AHHHHHH!

AHHHHHHH!

AHHHHHHHHH!

(deep breath)

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

boss of you...the book!

I'm gonna be in this book! I'm not really sure to what extent at this point, but I know I'm in there somewhere, and that's exciting.

The authors, Lauren and Emira, are really knowledgeable and I think it will be a very helpful, fun book for women interested in starting a small business. I wish this book existed when I started Betsy Ross.

You can pre-order it on Amazon now, and it's set for release in May.

Yay!

flickr group for Betsy Ross!

I just created a flickr group for clothes and bags made with Betsy Ross patterns, and would love to have you participate if you have photos of what you've finished or you're working on.

I hope that if you've made something with my patterns you will consider joining the group!


Here's the address. Joinjoinjoin!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/betsyrosspatterns/



{This photo is of two lovely ladies who took a class recently at the Philadelphia Sewing Collective. They made coats and clutches using Betsy Ross patterns. It was great meeting them and getting feedback on how to make the patterns better in the future. And the hot toddies were delicious.}

coat refashion

So here it is! Here's the before and after shots of the winter coat that turned into a jacket in an evening. Not bad.

I think I am going to fudge a little more with the front of it, and maybe round off the collar, but it's pretty done.

...and I found a replacement coat...on sale, no less, at H&M. Wanted one I saw on the way to H&M, but alas.

The heat is broken at work and it's so cold in this gallery that I'm clutching hand warmers and wearing safety ear muffs. Isn't it against the law or something to make us stay here in these conditions?

I also enjoy these ear things because I have an excuse for not hearing the phone, or the sound of my coworkers' voices, or really anything at all. It's quite nice.

Don't I look surly? And it kind of looks like I have a mustache.

I cut apart my winter coat on a whim last Tuesday because I decided I didn't like it anymore. I took before and after shots and will post soon. I'm was surprised to find that it doesn't look too bad- I have a few things to rip out and do over but overall, I am pretty happy with it.

The main problem right now, is that although I have a cuter garment, I turned the coat into a jacket, which means that I no longer have a winter coat. This is a big problem since the computer tells me that it's 34 degrees outside. I am very, very picky when it comes to coats, and my vanity often gets in the way of buying practical, yet bulky gore-tex coats. Anyone have any suggestions for cute but warm coats?

cards and gifts

If I weren't so broke right now, I would buy a few sets of these beautiful letterpress holiday cards from the- company- that- can- do- no- wrong, Egg Press. I really love the patterned envelope liners. So pretty.

I will, however, buy this cute little monkey pillow to make for my nephew, Isaac (aka "Best Baby Ever"). It's such a great idea and the fabric and design is smashing. Well, done, Egg Press.

...all things considerate to the mind and senses

And here are some things I love right now.

1
Japanese Schoolbook set from Kiosk, which is the most awesome shop in NY, selling beautiful objects and curious items from around the world. The commentary next to these notebooks on the website reads: "The company that makes them is a passionate believer in all things considerate to the mind and senses." Oh stop now....You had me at hello.

2
Muji coming to New York. Philadelphia peeps: let's plan a field trip.

3.
The song "Mockingbird" by Palliard, a band fronted by an old friend from Chicago. It's bringing back some memories for me.


4
Striking portraits by Seydou Keita and Alex Soth. Keita's portraits make me want to write novels. Alex Soth's blog has been a must-read for me, so I'm sad he isn't updating it anymore. But you must go and read the archives, especially if you are into photography and poetry.

5.
The geek in me loves the schematics on the New York Label and Box Works website. I sure do love this Double Anchor Lock, No Depth Folder. Who knew?



6.
Sweet, patterned, cotton tights paired with my suede gray heels. I don't have the tights yet but clearly I have been thinking about this.

Enjoy your weekends! I'll be hitting the Galbraith and Paul sample sale tomorrow, sewing a sample pair of my Fancy Pants pattern for a class I'm teaching at Cloth and Bobbin in February, watching movies with a cat on my lap, and catching up on some sleep after a hectic week.















Enjoy your weekends.