We need some Happy today

I was just kidding about the quilt. Sort of. Yesterday I started selecting fabrics for another doll-sized Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt, so apparently I quickly got over the amount of work involved in making the first one. In fact, I pulled together some of the scraps and templates from the last one and will happily send them along to someone else who wants to give it a try. Let me know if you're interested and I'll pop them into the mail. Just don't call me whining when you discover how long it takes you; I already know. (And don't say I didn't warn you, either!)

Here is the inspiration for the next one. I just love it, and it's a great excuse to do a little cross stitching again. It's been years.

Here are a few other things I love right now:


Sew Stylish magazine, published by Taunton (the same people who publish my beloved Threads magazine). It's loaded with terrific articles for everyone from beginners to expert level sewers. This is their very first issue, and I'm still amazed at how much good information they included. I especially like the article about sewing handbags, which offers lots of great tips for working with leather. For example, they suggest that you cover leather with Glad Press'n Seal before you sew because it helps the presser foot to move smoothly over the leather, tears off easily afterwards, and doesn't leave a sticky residue. And check out their blog as well.

This copy of the amazing smocked Bottega Veneta dress. Here's where having a dress form comes in really handy; imagine pinning and fitting all those pleats on yourself (or a friend)!

The new issue of Blueprint magazine, featuring Joelle (co-owner of Purl and Purl Patchwork) and her apartment. I haven't seen it yet, but I'll be heading out to find a copy tonight once the kiddo is in bed. Can't wait! (Don't worry; Todd is home to watch Ms. Tsia while I'm out.)

Pandora. Type in a favorite song and hear other similar music. Then rate the music you hear and Pandora will customize your very own virtual radio station. But watch out: you can spend a lot of time playing with this site.

And speaking of playing, these games are adorable and fun. Blast it, Courtney and Dorie, it's not like I needed other ways to spend my time.

Ok, gotta go. Just remember:

"It's not rock and roll if your pants don't hurt."
-- Jimmy Webb, "Anything Pink Rocks," The New Yorker, March 26, 2007