Fall Inspiration

Color & Shapes of the Season in front of Whole Foods!


Though I have been hard at work in the sewing and craft factory these past weeks, a few signs of Fall and some interesting holidays and local happenings did get my attention!

This past Friday, in addition to being National Punctuation Day (as my writer friends pointed out) and Hug A Vegetarian Day (as my daughter's school friends affectionately noted), was the opening of our new Anthropologie store in lovely Utica Square.


Ahhh, nothing like their fantastic window displays to get the creative wheels turning! And though I adore the vintage-inspired clothing and love collecting it, the Target run I made later to pick up a simple brown sweater to combine with ruffled organza, ribbons & buttons will have to do this week for a new wardrobe piece!!

It was a fun & brilliant escape to see what was new for fall! Maybe after my upcoming shows, I'll treat myself or darling girl to some new treasure!

They even had a delightful ceramic tart plate with a beautiful whimsical verse about love & apple tarts...hmmm-must go back for that! What a great gift for a newlywed if filled with a fresh tart or some favorite recipes!!

Yet another reason to return to my favorite store!!

Back to Work!!
xo -EE

Ladies of the Guild

ASG-Tulsa Chapter

This week I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with the local chapter of the American Sewing Guild. Though I am a member, this was the first Tulsa meeting I have attended. The education coordinator contacted me late last spring to speak but our schedules were crazy...so finally, this week, we got it together and I made a little presentation.

The topic was: Designer details for your handmade pillows, handbags and gifts. The theme: Add hand-dyed, embroidered and soft sculptured couture elements to your favorite projects and make them FABULOUS!!
(Not that they aren't already!)

We talked about adding roses, ruffles and lots of detail & embellishment to everything they sew! Though I brought a few samples, I was amazed at the show & tell the ladies brought! Beautiful felted jewelry (can't wait to try this!-see latest edition of Notions newsletter), creative mini quilts, a variety of fun totes which several ladies made,

Pretty custom fitted jackets,
Even darling children's clothing from a colorful, re-purposed sweater!
I wanted the skirt & leggings in my size!!

Here I am juggling cupcakes...well, not really-but the group was great-very hospitable and forgiving of the way I tend to pop from one thing to another!

Thank you, ladies for a lovely meeting & greeting!
Happy sewing community projects & keep up the good work!
-EE

Delicious Distractions

About 40 minutes from my home there is a most delicious diversion this time of year: Porter, Oklahoma, the peach capital of the state and Livesay Orchards. We hopped over to the Porter Peach festival recently and brought home nearly a bushel!
At the orchard, you can pick your own or let them do the real work...it is a very busy place!!

Since then, I have made several fresh peach pies
(with homemade crusts!).

Farmer's markets nearer to my home are still boasting Porter Peaches so it is hard to resist picking up a few more!

Ok, back to the distracting part..I should be working on new purses and new purse patterns today-that was my plan-or organizing my business books for my darling better half
(he is the left brain half).

But instead, I made peach pies! When he emailed me about my accounting records, I emailed back a picture of his pie-fresh out of the oven! Even he understands priorities!

Happy distractions

-EE
ps. peachy pillow pattern available in ilovefiberart store!

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

WHOA! (ed being very naughty)

Ribbons & Roses & Feeding Your Passion!

The Spirit of the American Morgan Horse

In Lexington, Kentucky, Horse Capital of the USA, the grounds are magnificent, the stars are World Champions, the sports include Polo & all disciplines of riding and horsemanship, the art is equestrian, and bloodlines run deep and as Royal as any tricolors' Blue.

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

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!