Spring Top Week

I've finally gotten around to taking pics of my new Spring top! I had finished it over the weekend but have been so busy working with Mary on Rob's fundraiser dinner that I just haven't had the time to post it! Ed helped me take some pics yesterday morning of me actually wearing the blouse but my pasty winter skin just isn't doing it justice! Maybe we'll try again after this bod has seen a beach (Oh my! There's a scary thought!)

But now it's done! And I've uploaded my pic to the Spring Top Week Sewalong Flickr Group. I hope the other ladies like it!

I made the blouse from a Jennifer Stern pattern I bought at the Sewing Expo a few weeks ago. It was really nice to put together. Jenn did an amazing job with this pattern -- I LOVE IT! The sizing is fantastic and her direction is wonderful! I want to make another one with long sleeves and another one with the mandarin collar!

I used a linen/cotton blend fabric which is oh-so-light and delicate. Really, quite pretty. The buttons are vintage (of course) from Gramma Rita's sewing basket. I love using the vintage buttons but I just HATE cutting them off the cards! YIKES!! Especially when I don't use all of them.

But they just screamed "USE ME" for this blouse -- they are perfect!

And they're "le chic" -- just like me!

WHY I LOVE APRIL :: THREE

One Ring to rule them all,
One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all
and in the darkness bind them.
J. R. R. Tolkien

Those of you who know me -- and let's face it, that's most of you! -- know that the Lord of the Rings are my most favoritest movies of all time.

I LOVE THESE MOVIES!

I watch them over and over and over.

I watch them with the subtitles on so I'm sure to get every word, every syllable, every orc grunt ingrained into my memory.

I get chills when the Beacons of Gondor are lit.

I cry when King Theoden buries his son.

I sigh at handsome, unshaven heroes with daddy issues.

I know every word of the opening monologue by heart.

I even made my four-year-old son go out as Frodo for Halloween (and his older brother, Gandalf).

Every April, a movie theater here in RI runs a LOTR marathon. For the past three years I have been lucky enough to be able to attend. The first time I went by myself -- as if going to a LOTR marathon isn't geeky enough! The last two times I was accompanied by Lysie's hubby who is totally funny and a great movie goer. I am grateful for the company and he is so much fun!

The first movie starts at noontime and it all runs until about 1130pm. There are two 30 minute intermissions between the films where you can stretch your legs and grab a bite. Since it's probably the only time each year that I actually sit down you'd think I would enjoy the rest but you're actually sitting for so long it starts to hurt. That's right -- sitting can be very painful! As comfy as their stadium seating is, my legs just cramp up something fierce! But it's totally worth it!

My family thinks I am insane but I'm always able to get one of them to look after my peeps so I can attend. This year it was Mary's turn and John picked them up after he got out of work. I'm waiting for them all to wake up so I can hear all about the fun they had jumping on the trampoline with Rob and eating burgers on Auntie's deck.

Only one more week and April will be done. Can you believe it!?

Yesterday, my movie companion was doing some twittering during the intermissions and I was intrigued. Thought I might give it a try. Let me know if you Twitter, too.

SEWING FUN!

While visiting Cindy this morning, I read about this fun little sewing group being hosted by Rae and happily joined in!

Since the success of John's flannel shirt back in January, I've been making tops left and right! Some not so successfully but I'm all about the tops these days!

AND, I just got that totally adorable J. Stern pattern which I'm getting ready to put together as we speak.

Stay tuned!

WHY I LOVE APRIL :: TWO

Another reason I am totally in love with the month of April is the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo comes to town!!

photo from here

HOORAY! THE SEWING EXPO!

As if I weren't lucky enough that it actually comes close enough for me to drive to, the Expo is always held right near where my parents live! That's right -- free, all-day babysitting! They play, they get fed and they even get bathed. Seriously, can you get any luckier??

This year the Expo was fantastic but (sigh) not quite as good as in previous years. Some of my favorite vendors were missing! MQX was held the same weekend up in NH so some of them headed that way -- as did my BFF Giuliana! I'm sure she had a blast and I can't wait to see her and hear all about it!

Missing vendors aside, the Expo was a lot of fun! I took a class with Peggy Sagers who is so brilliant when it comes to sewing techniques! I had taken one from her last year too and I learned more in one hour, I tell ya! The rest of the day I spent my time wandering and ogling all the pretty things! Just look at a mere section of the Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods booth!

Unfortunately, I panic when I see so much pretty and didn't buy from them this year. Maybe next year.

I bought two patterns from Jennifer Sterns who I had originally met at one of my RISN meetings last year. At that time, she was just finishing up her patterns and getting them ready to be printed. I bought one for an insanely cute top with a peplum and one for pants. Jen is WAY too cool and actually helped me out and took my measurements so that I would make the right size. THANKS, JEN!



I then walked over to Vogue Fabric and bought some black stretch cotton (what else!) for the pants. I also bought some very cool tan striped cotton from "the wool guy" to make Edzo a pair of shorts. No one ever knows this guys name but he sells all of these imported wools, linens, cottons and bamboos! Gorgeous!!

Could I have any more fun, you ask??

Why yes! I could!!

Since I was born and raised right there in Worcester where the Expo was held, I made a big plan with my old High School girlfriends for a little night on the town! I know, I hear you laughing! But a few glasses of wine and a some Mexican style mini -burgers helped ol' "in-bed-by-eight" Shellie actually stay up and have a fantastic time!




Look at these ladies! Can you believe we've been out of school for almost ACHEM years! A few of our crew couldn't make it and were sadly missed but luckily I was able to have a very early coffee with Brenda which made up for it.


And as far as April is concerned...

WHY I LOVE APRIL :: ONE

Of course, I am a total Thanksgiving and Christmas kind of girl but Easter is that holiday that just makes everything seem so bright and cheery. Spring dresses, pastel colors and the knowledge that summer is not too far away. We spent the day visiting family in two different states. From RI to MA to RI again -- what a fabulous day!

And the kids looked amazing if I do say so myself!

Ava's dress is Simplicity 5226 made from this magenta linen that's been in my stash for FOREVER! I used these beautiful vintage pearl buttons and made her a matching pocketbook from Ottobre 3/08.

The slip dress (see it there, hanging out the bottom??) was made from some very old Amy Butler fabric -- I think the first I ever bought. Charm, maybe? It had been made into a hippie dress for myself but was so badly made that I ripped it apart and put the fab back in my stash. Perfect for this Easter ensemble, though...

The boy wore a shirt from the Gap -- I tried two times to make him one of my own but they just didn't meet my expectations. Better luck next time. The pants, however, are the "Linus" pant from Ottobre 3/08 which I made in navy blue linen. They were perfect!

Here's a pic of the front pocket which is inserted into a seam kind of in the front/not really on the side. I thought this was a cool detail - made them a little different and interesting. Also, my fly front zippers are going in much easier as I practice, and practice, and...

And a pic of the faux back pocket (and his cute little tushy!).

What a weekend! And a great start to what I'm planning on being a fantastic April! Just you wait and see...