In Case You Were Wondering

I finally had the presence of mind to compile a list of Trumpkin's many witticism in Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis.

~ Horns and Halibuts 

~ Bulbs & bolsters 

~ Whistles and Whirligigs 

~ Soup and celery 

~ Thimbles and thunderstorms 

~ Giants and junipers 

~ Tubs and tortoiseshells 

~ Bottles and battledores 

~ Bilge and beanstalks 

~ Cobbles and kettledrums 

~ Wraiths and wreckage 

~ Weights and waterbottles

I hope I haven't left any out -- if you find one that's missing, let me know! Trumpkin's font of creativity is simply amazing! I am determined to adopt some of his vocabulary for those times when "Oh nuts" just doesn't cut it!

The Lady of the Lake

My mother took this photograph of a loch in Scotland, back when we lived in England over a decade ago (when you had to use film! And there was no LCD screen to see if it turned out! *gasp*). I think the reflection of the shore in the water is absolutely stunning.

But rotating this picture reveals an even more amazing scene -- can you see it?

 

A lovely Victorian lady, complete with pale face, elegant up-do, and a black veil. And her hands are clasped so neatly behind her back. While this may not be what Sir Walter Scott had in mind, I think our Scottish lass might truly be termed "The Lady of the Lake." Just a bit of whimsy to close out a busy week!

Deep Water

A necklace kit that I have long admired finally went on clearance. I couldn't resist, despite my lack of experience in jewelry making! I was amazed at how satisfying and how simple it was.

I love the colors -- blue, and gray, and green, the glorious hues of the sea in its varying moods. Another crafting hobby? Well, I just don't have enough, you know. *ahem*

A Laura Ashley Nightgown

My summer nightgown bit the dust last year, so now that the warm weather has returned I found myself in need of some lightweight sleepwear. So I turned to McCalls 9437, an out-of-print Laura Ashley pattern.

And a little bit of tweaking later, this is what I came up with:

 

I scrapped the sleeve ruffles (they looked like wings!) and replaced them with eyelet. I also lined the bodice, which made for some interesting construction modifications.

 

The fabric is a lovely cotton print, reduced to $1 per yard at Wal-Mart.

 And rather than taking up the 2 1/4" hem, I indulged in several tucks. Because tucks are just too delightful!

I think I'm ready for summer now! Even though the first day of Spring doesn't roll around until the 20th...

Words of Wisdom From Writers

What I like best is a book that's

at least funny once in a while...

What really knocks me out is a book that,

when you're all done reading it,

you wish the author that wrote it was a

terrific friend of yours

and you could call him up

on the phone whenever you felt like it.

That doesn't happen much, though. ~ J. D. Salinger ~

Sewing Tips -- Hidden Potential

It's been quite a while since I posted a sewing tip (and I'm not quite sure this "counts" as a sewing tip!). But it's something that's certainly helped me, so I thought I'd share. Since I do quite a bit of thrifting, I sometimes come across a garment that I like, but isn't *quite* right and usually I don't find out that it's not *quite* right until I've gotten it home. The optimism I felt at the store just won't make sleeves a tinch longer, or make the buttons a smidgeon cuter. So sometimes my clothing has to be "repurposed." For instance, I just finished modifying two long-sleeve shirts. One was a plain white shirt with very plain buttons. There was nothing wrong with it, but I just didn't wear it. So I cut the sleeves down to 3/4 length and put on new buttons (I just happened to have the exact number of buttons in my stash -- a little bit pearly, and just the right size). Voila! The other shirt was a bit tight in the sleeves, but it was an adorable eyelet fabric that I couldnt resist. I modified twice -- I tried 3/4 length sleeves first, but they were still too binding. So I chopped off some more, and had enough left over from the sleeve to make a little pleated ruffle:

I bought if for less than I would have paid for the fabric, and it took much less time to alter it than it would have taken to make it. Cheaper + easier + cute = Happy Me! Other repurposing can include buying a garment for the buttons (Those $1 deals with ten or twelve mother-of-pearl buttons are great!), cutting it apart for other uses (bags, bias tape, pincushions, you-name-it), and even using dresses or skirt to make a whole new garment (those pleated skirts from the 90's have the most beautiful rectangles of fabric). While I'm not a "Save the Planet" kind of person, I do think it's good old-fashioned stewardship to re-use what I have (or what others have had before me!).

A Black-and-White Garden

A black-and-white floral print made up in the indispensable McCalls 5431. Just in time for Spring!

 

Will I ever get tired of a skirt that can be started and finished in about two hours (or maybe less) and is this much fun to wear? I don't think so.

This Life

I discovered this quotation today, and found it both refreshing and challenging. Its eloquence reminds me of poetry, and it certainly has the potency of poetry! I hope you find it as encouraging as I did.


This life, therefore, is
not righteousness but growth in righteousness,
not health but healing,
not being but becoming,
not rest but exercise.

We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it;
the process is not yet finished but it is going on;
this is not the end but it is the road.
All does not yet gleam in glory but all is being purified.

~ Martin Luther ~

The Determined Daffodil

One of my favorite times of year is when the daffodils bloom. I don't know why I love daffodils so much, but their sunny faces always make my heart skip a beat! Here's one of the beauties blooming in our garden:

 

An average daffodil, right? We moved our daffodils from the back garden to the front a few years ago. Since then, the hawthorne bushes that we planted in their place have flourished. But this overlooked daffodil bulb was apparently determined to bloom, even if it meant growing a three-foot stem to reach the sun and the clear air. The only thing holding up that stem is the hawthorne bush. Now that's determination. I wish I could say I was that resilient and determined under trying circumstances!

Hot off the Press

Here's what my Singer and I have been up to over the past day or two:

 

Vintage styling, creamy eyelet, and a pocket in the round. Not to mention the vintage button and the yo-yo... See it in the shop.

From Where I Sit

...Or rather, from where I was sitting yesterday as I waited for the postman.

 

A crisp, sunny day, a package ready to be shipped, a bit of chocolate, and a copy of The Pickwick Papers to while away the time. No complaints here.