La Cadenede, We Miss You Sooooo Much!

We've been away to Europe. Spent an unbelievable week at the castle La Cadenede.

It's really a fortified farmhouse, but believe me the word castle fits. 

Here's the name plate on the front gate.

This is the first view you get from the front gate driving up to the place.

Looking center/left into the valley from the pool.

The village of Millau. There will be some more pics later of the village and some other wonderful sites near La Cadenede.

This is a shot from the far left poolside.

The Millau Viaduct. Simply breathtaking! 

Here's the gorgeous pool!

Garden roses.

We had almost every kind of weather the week we were there, even a booming thunderstorm!

We had two spectacular double rainbows!

More of the Viaduct.

The back of the place was fantastic also. So many trails and walks to explore!

This was the common room and it wasn't what I would call common at all. We played many games here together and I loved every second of it!

The pool was very hard to get out of. With Castle, Viaduct and Village to see while floating it was an incredible experience!

The bathing suit I made for the trip held up nicely by the way!

This is our last sunset. I felt like I was in that scene from Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy when the folks are rebuilding the world just for Arthur. I kept imagining that there were work crews just out of sight working away to make us the perfect views every day! 

I'll be writing more about the village of Millau, The Roquefort Cheese Caves, Toulouse and Samian ware Roman pottery from the first century AD. Just need to get rid of a bit of jet lag first!

Last Vacation Make.

There's no more time to make!

This set has Czechoslovakian glass beads and silver belly dancing bells. The necklace is very long and swishy and I love the gentle rain noises it makes. It will go with a heap of outfits too. 

Here's the last dress. I didn't use a pattern. and I had to add three modesty panels, but I think it might be my favorite dress. 

Stay tuned for exciting updates of far far away places!

So very excited!

Can you guess where we're going from the clothing posts?

Dress from Simplicity 3750

I really am on a bit of a sewing spree. Here's the latest of the Simplicity 3750 pattern. 

I made it here and here. 

This version is fully lined, (That was fun.... NOT!) with a satiny lining fabric. The top layer fabric is extremely sheer.

I'm pretty chuffed about this one! I think it's one of the last sewing projects I'll be working on for my vacation wardrobe! Well maybe just one more? We'll see.

Here's a pic of the package in case you're interested. I think it's still in print. It sure is a fast sew up. Well...... if you ignore the double layer thing I did this time. 

Stay tuned for very very exciting vacation pics that will involve a castle, ancient Roman pottery and maybe some cheese.....

1960's Swimsuit from Simplicity 6546

I've really been sewing up a storm lately. Here's my favorite project yet!

I used the original pattern with just a few alterations. If you see this pattern online or in a thrift shop, grab it!

I used scads of bias tape to finish off my seams and edges instead of pressing under and top stitching. I like the contrast and it looks great from the inside too!

This suit is completely lined and fitted. 

Here's my messy messy hand baste for my zipper in the back of the suit. 

This is the little button tab I added to the top of the zipper.

The back of the suit top. I wanted to make sure it stayed done up so I added and overlap and four buttons.

I added some non functioning buttons to the front of the top just because I liked them. I love wooden buttons and this fun mushroomy fabric seems to be made for them.

Have you attempted any swimwear?

I'd love to hear it.

Butterick B5488

Been sewing up a storm lately.

Picked up a few newish patterns and thought I'd let you know how they turned out.

This Butterick is one of the first modern patterns I've used in a long time.

I must say I love it.

I made view C and I used a Michael Miller cotton blend. 

I also added some pockets to hold my phone. Nice and deep and a wee bit narrower than I would normally make for a pocket. I'm pretty happy with this frock.  I'll be making many more of these for sure!

Summer Time Comfort

We've been having an on again off again summer so far. I think Mother Nature might be a wee bit menopausal. One day it's sweltering and the next we're all huddling around a fire in our sweaters. It's given us the opportunity to make some warm comfort food, and that's nice because The Merc and her bo are home for a stay. We're almost always a house of 7 now. Cozy!

I've been working my pattootie off lately on projects I can't share yet, but I'll be back soonish with more tutorials to share. Hope you're all having a fantastic summer.

Don't forget to post a STAEDTLER project!

Click this link and follow the instructions to play along.

You won't win if you don't play!

Can't wait to see what you all come up with.

The cut of date for submissions is July 30th.

So what's keeping ya?

Whim Whads For A What's it!

Sometimes I find things just hiding in a cupboard in the studio. Sometimes I have no idea what I was thinking about creating when I made these things......

This is one of those times.

I have hundreds of these textured discs tucked away carefully in a ziplock bag and put into a tiny box. I made them when I was playing with the STAEDTLER texture sheets a while ago..... But I have no idea whatsoever what I was planning to do with them.

Some are only 1cm wide and others are nearly 6cm. I used all of the new Fimo Effect quartz colours to make these little tidbits of goodness....

But I'm still just trying to figure out how I'm going to adapt them into one cohesive piece.

I'm sure there will be a 2 am epiphany, but until then.... I guess I'll just look at them adoringly and wonder.

And then there are these......

I just really, do not know what I was planning.

Don't forget to get your projects in for the STAEDTLER Summer Giveaway!

The deadline is July 30th

Follow this link to get more information!

STAEDTLER Summer Giveaway!!!

You are invited to post a project you have made with any STAEDTLER product here on my blog
and you will be entered to win a

STAEDTLER prize package,

a $30.00 value.

 One winner will be chosen randomly on Thursday July 31st. 

Open only to residents of the US and Canada. 

Take a photo of your project and post it on any social media site with a brief description of the STAEDTLER product you used.

Write a comment with a link to your project photo on this post.

Make sure you mention what STAEDTLER products were used in your project 

and mention that you are posting for the STAEDTLER Summer Giveaway. 

We're looking for NEW projects made for this giveaway specifically. 

Projects must be posted no later than July 30th to be considered for a chance to win.

Prize package includes: 12 pc Karat Watercolor Crayons, 6 pc Triplus Fineliner Pastel set and 1 package of FIMO air dry clay. 

Posting a photo link in a comment below also allows STAEDTLER to re post your photo on their social media sites.

Can't wait to see your creative entries!

Tiny Rose Blouse From Simplicity 6550

I've made blouses from this pattern before and it's one of my favorites. I decided to make figure 2 this time. I only just had enough fabric.

Follow the jump to see how it turned out this go around!

Button Hole Making

I've been asked quite a few times to share the steps I take to make button holes.

So here goes!

I took these pictures at different times of the day and they all look like a different garment. If you would like a more detailed tut on button hole making just send me a line and I'll get on it!

I'll have heaps of opportunity to record  the button hole making. We're trying to make our complete summer vacation wardrobe from scratch. There's only a month of sewing time left! 

EEEEEK!

Wish us luck!