I’m so excited to have a copy of Built by Wendy Dresses in my hot little hands. I was a big fan of the original Sew U, and a book all about dresses is a great addition to the series.

Particularly because I recently made a vow to wear more dresses. For some reason I’m just not a dress person - even though I love looking at them and seeing other people wear them, I just don’t wear them often myself. But last summer I bought a dress that I absolutely loved and wore fairly often, so I think I’m on the right track. I’m hoping with the help of this book to come up with some comfortable, custom style dresses that I love to increase my dress wardrobe selection for the spring.

The book comes with three basic patterns for a sheath, shift and drindl dress and about eight specific project instructions for each. But then, like all the Built by Wendy books there’s a whole set of instructions on how to customize the basic patterns by adjusting the collar, sleeves and embellishments

And of course there’s tons of great information about creating the right fit for your body and her overall inspirational attitude that makes you feel like sewing your own clothes is the easiest and funnest thing you could ever do. I’m still a bit skeptical, but I like the motivational pep talk anyways!

1. [presépio 03, 2. A Masqueradeing Tiny Squirrel Plush, 3. Fawn, 4. Theegwart Pugwash, a pirate Jacabobbaloo

5. Block printing + embroidery / Estampado + bordado, 6. Feltidermy hair clips, 7. Winter Fairy Ring, 8. Red Snouts

9. wounded bear/forest queen, 10. handmade zakka for baby, 11. The Cherrybomb Family, 12. 2 more on the way

13. 090411a, 14. IMG_9736, 15. Shy guy, 16. Suitcases

A very nice friend of mine brought me this pot of daffodils - just what’s needed to bring a bit of spring time into the house, even if it is a bit premature. I had read elsewhere that forced bulbs won’t bloom again because they’re so confused, but my friend said if you plant them in the garden they might come up again in the fall. Thoughts?

Also, Ian’s made us a new craft soundtrack which I’ve just put up (all legal mp3 downloads). There’s some good stuff there  to keep you rockin out through the February blahs.

We’ve been doing some cross-country skiing on the weekends. It’s been pretty fun (aching muscles and bruised behinds apres ski notwithstanding). The first time we went up it was beautiful and sunny, but a bit too warm on the trails.

This weekend was grayer, but with lovely fresh snow. Makes the whole winter thing somewhat more tolerable to be outdoors doing something fun.

Although I am glad to say goodbye to January and it’s bone-chillingly cold weather, I have been enjoying this page of my calendar. My very lovely and generous aunt got it for me for Christmas - the art is by Amy Rice, who’ve I’ve mentioned before. Although I think this print is pretty sweet, I’ll look forward to flipping the page to the next one because I haven’t even peeked at what it is yet!

I’ve been avoiding buying any new fabric for a long time now, and trying to use only what I have since I have a ridiculous amount of fabric already. But I felt like I’d gone through quite a bit of it and a little replacement couldn’t hurt, just to refresh things a little.

Somehow I ended up on a bird theme - can’t help it, I still like them.

And a couple of cute ones and a great circus print in case I need something for a kids project.

I picked up some of this chalk board fabric too - this was actually the real purpose for my order because I couldn’t find it anywhere locally and thought it might be fun to try out.

It’s always nice to have a set of blank notecards around in case you need to send a letter or add a note to a package, and I decided it was time that I had some new ones for just this purpose. I’ve actually had the idea for this set of cards for awhile and finally set aside the time to make them in December, and gave a bunch of sets away as gifts as well. I’ve been collecting the images in my head - birds (a bit cliche at this point I know, but I still like them), woodgrain, lace, wallpaper and vintage ledger papers. I think they turned out almost as well as I had been imagining them, which, you know, is not often the way these things end up.

1. puff pouch at pink penguin

2. Ruffle Tshirt Remake by made by lex

3. beaded fabric flower necklace at pretty ditty

4. embroidered ribbon sleeve at the long thread

5. Felt Flower Winter Wreath at the purl bee

6. DIY pinwheel at style me pretty

I’ve walked past these shoes nearly everyday for two and a half years that we’ve lived in this neighbourhood I think. I don’t remember them suddenly appearing, so they must have always been there. There’s many urban myths about why these get thrown up there. I generally think its just kids fooling around but it often makes me wonder when I walk by.

I found this great free pattern through needlebook and thought I’d give a slouchy hat a try. I wasn’t sure if I would really like wearing it - maybe too trendy? do I really want to take style hints from La Lohan? it would look goofy on me? wouldn’t be warm enough? Wrong on all counts - I love this hat and think it looks great. Keeps my ears warm, but my the added bonus of not flattening my hair out all funny on the way to work. Thumbs up!