The Star of the County Down

A favorite song of mine. It's such a pretty rendition of The Star of the County Down. Enjoy!

She Looked So Sweet From Her Two Bare Feet

As summer approaches, all I can think of is folk songs, warm summer nights, bare feet, and all things medieval. Every summer my sister, I, and our cousins go to a renaissance faire, and it is great fun! These pictures are from last spring at a local park, but I have been in a summer fairy tale mood lately. The day was perfectly cloudy, so enchanting and haunting for some great misty highland type shots. They remind me a bit of Catriona from David Balfour, Robert Louis Stevenson's amazing book, and the sequel to Kidnapped.

Route 66 Dress -- Part Two // A Beautiful Girl

At long last, I have finished sewing the Route 66 Dress! My dear friend is graduating from high school this year and I made her this dress for a present. She is a very talented young lady who wishes to serve the Lord with her life. Check out her blog: http://www.beautifully-pure.com/

She is unashamed of being a bit geeky about Dr. Who and wearing heels even though she is already quite tall. She's a country girl at heart, loves old cars, and pretty dresses. Leather jackets, and the color pink. She is stylish, but will go for a tramp through the woods wearing heels without a second thought. She takes pretty photos, has a lovely blog, and likes a good old fashioned romantic story. She can cheer me up when I am sad. She loves going for long drives in the car listening to music. She has the coolest sunglasses, and has a catching laugh. She will have the prettiest graduation party around. She is supportive. She goes to thrift stores and collects pretty dishes and things for a home of her own someday. She has curly hair, and listens to Owl City and Josh Groban. She has laughed with me and cried with me. She does what she thinks is right, and will stand up for her friends no matter what. She is comfortable in her own skin. She gives lots to her friends and family and has a good work ethic. She is a big dreamer. She has a good sense of humor, and makes me laugh. She has a tender heart. She is the dearest of friends and a beautiful girl inside and out. Her name is Katie. 

<3 <3 Happy Graduation!! <3 <3

Vintage Linens Quilt

Just recently I've started collecting vintage linens. Hankies, table runners, napkins, and doilies. Now I have a nice little pile of them. But I have a big plan for them, namely -- a quilt. Now I have never made a quilt before, but I am getting ready to jump into this project. I plan to take my time with it, and after making the quilt top, to quilt it by hand. I'm so excited for this project. It just seams so old fashioned and such a pretty idea.

Hope Chest Makeover DIY

I have always loved the idea of a hope chest. It just seamed so old fashioned and romantic. Last summer I saw this ceder chest sitting all alone at a thrift store and I knew I had to have it. It just needed a little love and it could be beautiful.

Cotton Candied Dress // What I Want in a Dress

At least that's what I like to call my new dress. The pink and the blue colors remind me so much of cotton candy. I'm excited, for soon I think I shall be opening my online shop. With each sewing project I've done, I feel more and more confident that I can sew and sell my cotton frocks. The key is, that I actually wear the things I make -- and feel pretty when I put them on. That's always a big plus. <3 I mean I don't have a pair of jeans I feel nice in. They are all too tight, or too low, or stretch out too easily, or are just plain unflattering. So a big hurrah for another dress I can wear with ease, and feel ladylike in. I know, it doesn't take a pretty dress to be a lady, but it sure helps!

I made this dress to wear to my cousin's graduation party this July. She has all sorts of fun decorations planned and I can't wait to go there in my new pretty dress.  

There is a little old fashioned quilt shop in a small town close to wear I live that I just discovered recently. I went there to buy my fabric for this dress. I couldn't choose a better place to shop. I has shelves and shelves of pretty floral old-fashioned fabric to choose from. I could spend hours of my time in there, not to mention tons of money if I had tons. 

Whenever I go there I get compliments from the ladies that work there. One of them said to me, "Aww! I love it when girls wear dresses like that! I was feeling sad that no one wears things like this anymore, when in you walked!" I was beaming. 

I had to agree with them. It is so hard to find clothes that are becoming, stylish, and well made. Well that's why I started sewing in the first place, I suppose. I couldn't stand the loose flowing t-shirty things that are in style now, or at least the things you can find at big stores. But even dresses that are cute from small indie places don't fit my critique. They are made too cheaply. I suppose I love yards of fabric in my skirts and so it is not the most economical, but is it really too hard to make things with decent cotton? Not that stuff that is so flimsy and see through that nearly everything is made out of now. I rather have say, five well made dresses that I love, than a closet full of things I wear some of the time but don't really like.That is why I sew. And that is why I want to sew dresses for other women and girls. It is just a creative way for me to express myself, and I don't see myself stopping for anything less.

 What I want in a dress

Femininity

Comfort

Modesty

Twirly

Girly

Sturdy

Well Structured

Well Fitted

1950's Inspired

Quilting Quality Cotton

Time and Love poured into sewing it 

On a side note, my hair actually seams long-ish in these pictures. Yay! I've been trying to grow it out for some time now, and I can finally say it is long enough not to call it short anymore. Albeit, it's not long yet either, but it is getting there. My hope is for it to be near or at waist by Christmas. We'll see.