who doesn't want to be a super-hero?

so, yesterday i decided to skip to #5 on my craft to-do list (and realized that my reluctance to follow instructions extends to even my own), and tackled my first super-hero cape. and shortly after, the second. and third. this would be a good time to mention that i am super lucky to have such great friends and fans who are always giving me new inspiration and ideas!

one of my favorite little guys has a birthday coming up soon and his wonderful mama wondered if i could make him a cape. jeremy loves playing dress-up with his big sister, but isn't as fond of the princess dresses, tiaras and high heels as lucie ;) but he does love to throw a blanket around his neck just before flying around the playroom to save the world. and the idea for super-jeremy was born.

i should have predicted what would happen next. our two little girls fighting over who gets to try on the cape, me having the questionable idea to take them both to the fabric store to pick out fabrics for their own capes, arguing with them about which fabrics look good together (ending with one girlie happy with basically anything we picked and the other in tears), me spending the afternoon making two more capes, and (finally) two happy girlies in capes... riding rocketships, saving the world, and refusing to let me take any good pictures of them in said capes because they wouldn't stand still long enough.

so i set off into the woods to capture some shots of the capes, inspired by the idea that a miniature super-hero had flown through (on an important mission, of course!), gotten their cape stuck on a branch, and been in too much of a hurry to save the world to come back for it right away. and here's where i admit that everyone in my house had a good giggle when i told them this too, so it's ok to laugh :)

first up, pics of the inaugural cape for Super Spaceman Jeremy:



next, Super Dress-Up Brenna:



and Super "Peace" Kahlin:



and then (finally!) i did manage to snap some pics of the girls in their capes:



*credit to the long thread, where Ellen's fantastic super-hero cape tutorial can be found. her blog has tons of great crafty ideas, so check it out!!

now i'm off to drool over pictures of the spring quilt market and think about all the things i'll make when the new fabrics come out... enjoy your sunday!

godet reveal

ok, so i am VERY excited to finally be able to reveal the newest spinny skirt style... and to publicly announce that not only do i now know what a "godet" is, but i actually made a skirt with six of them. well, yeah, i admit that part might only be exciting to me.

anyway, i was incredibly honored recently when my friend (and, coincidentally, husband of one of my dear friends who is also a fantastic customer) asked me if i would consider fashioning something handmade for his bride's first mother's day. it was a bit of a challenge, as i wanted whatever it was to be as lovely as she is and as special as his love for her. while i'm not quite sure there's anything in this world that would live up to that (that i'm capable of crafting at least), i am extremely happy with the final product!

and get this... for the first time in my "mad scientist" approach to sewing, i actually purchased muslin and tried out a pattern BEFORE cutting into $17/yd fabric. thank you, thank you, i am very proud of myself. and i may even try it again :)

speaking of fabric, this skirt is made out of jenaveve by valori wells, a gorgeous cotton/linen blend with just a little bit of sheen to make it extra special for the every day but still simple enough to run to the market in with your favortie flip-flops on the weekend. all the fabric came from sewn studio... FINALLY a fantastic fabric store right here in cincinnati. *shameless plug* the staff is knowledgeable and helpful (they even offer classes in their spacious sewing area), the store has a fantastic look and feel, and they always have in stock something i find myself needing :) i think it's quickly becoming my new happy place. check out their blog here and become a facebook fan here to keep up on what's going on.

the main body of the skirt is from the coordinating free spirit designer linen solids and then the godets are alternating leaves and floral birds, both in sage. the bias tape i used to finish the bottom of the skirt is also out of the linen solid; i am totally on the bias-tape-making band wagon! a 17" square of fabric made something like 7 yards of 1/2" double fold tape.. a great deal, but more importantly, i never would have found anything made commercially to match the color and fabric for this.

well, i won't keep you in suspense any longer... here are some pics!

i hope that all of the moms out there had a great day yesterday and that everyone's week is off to a great start!