Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Good Measure

This time of year means regrouping and planning projects for the season. Gathering together these measuring cup treasures which I picked up this summer at Anthropologie, and favorite herbal fills, I can get to work and be inspired in the process!


Sweet, aromatic, French Lavender is my all-time favorite fill for pillows & sachets but I plan to mix in a few buckwheat hulls and a little flax seed this year for texture, weight and complexity. Add to these, the delicate beauty of vintage glass, pearl and rhinestone embellishments, from my collection and Grandma's button box, plus vintage inspired French trims & a few special fabrics and the recipe is nearly complete!

Now, to work!

So lucky are artists, chefs & sewers! Cooking things up from a blank "canvas" is a joy when you have Faith, courage & a few fine ingredients!

Happy Cooking & Creating!
-EE

Monday, August 9, 2010

Ribbons & Roses & Feeding Your Passion!



The Spirit of the American Morgan Horse



Thoroughbred Park

Man O' War, sire of Triple Crown Winner War Admiral, also memorialized here.


This summer, as in most horse show seasons for us, it is all about feeding our passion for the glorious four-legged creatures & finding a way to manage: stabling, traveling, training & feeding-yet still finding a way to "manage the store" that is, our family businesses.

Fortunately, we have an awesome, talented trainer who takes care of the "ponies" & we are learning from our teenager that it is truly not the trophy, but the race.

This means making family vacations of horse shows- we wouldn't trade these adventures for anything!



For my part, I will "work for feed"


This week I am doing custom sewing of "designer" ladies hunt show shirts! I made a pattern-first for my daughter, then for several others and got to work.

By adding special touches not usually found in off-the-rack shirts, even most custom shirts, such as piping, elegant monograms and new collar shapes, things are hopping in the order department!

Anything to feed the horse habit!!



Happy feeding your Passion!
-EE

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Life is a Ball!


One of my very favorite pillows to make is a Button Ball! Here is a velvet version, pattern available this week in ilovefiberart store:


Whether sewing it up in silk/rayon velvet or your favorite cotton or home dec fabric, this pillow is sure to be a great accent to your collection-or a fabulous gift!


There is no end to the creative finishing you can do on this sculptural treasure! I even use my pattern to make snowmen pillows every winter!

Happy Sewing 'Round & 'Round!
-EE


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Coming end August/start September: 2 NEW Fall handbag patterns!
Tailored and Ruffled
Yippee!