Blueprint, how I love thee

Blueprint magazine just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it? I wasn't so sure about it at first, but now I like it more than Martha Stewart Living. Someone handed me a copy of the July/August issue yesterday while I was wandering along the sidewalk hunting for a post office in the west village (Yeah, that kind of thing doesn't happen when I trudge to the nasty post office in my neighborhood, that's for sure), and it's crammed with page after page of great things. For example, I love these little parchment shades that transform a simple wineglass and votive candle into a cute tabletop lamp.


But you know I won't be buying the pre-made printed versions. I'll be making my own. Sorry, lovely vendor. I'm thinking little eyelet cutouts on mine.

Other things that caught my eye:

You have to see decorations in the baby shower feature. Actually, my first thought was of Sally and her fabulous aesthetic. Oh, and I've been craving a Dry Meyer-lemon soda ever since I saw the photos.

Brilliant ideas for using wall paper. Never thought I'd type that. Ever.


Denim fashion: way beyond the blue jean, moving into Bonnie Cashin territory (watch that link if you're at work--there's sound involved). I loooove Bonnie Cashin, and I'm all over this. In fact, how great would it be to make a denim (or maybe chambray?) backpack for fall? Hmmm. With cream-colored topstitching, I think. (By the way, the photo above is from Linda Loudermilk. Great line, discovered via the denim feature.)

And one other non-Blueprint things I love:

Instructions for an easy-to-make fabric ball necklace.

Have a great weekend! If the sun ever shows up, I'll be able to show you my new dress next time.

Backpack patterns available now!

7/18 Update: Hardware is all gone as well.

7/16 Update: Patterns are all gone, once again. I still have silver hardware, and once that's gone it's all over. Thanks, everyone!

Once again, here are the links for purchasing the backpack pattern. Take your pick, and when you click you'll be taken to PayPal to complete your purchase. If you want to order a combination of items, you should be able to hit the back arrow and add other selections to your cart.

Please note that there are five options for purchasing: pattern only, pattern plus silver-toned hardware, pattern plus antique gold-toned hardware, extra silver hardware, and extra antique gold hardware. Confusing? I hope not.

Also, if you're ordering from outside the U.S. I'll contact you with the extra shipping charge once I've received your order; PayPal doesn't make international shipping very straighforward, so this seems to be the best method to handle it.

As always, I'll remove the links once things sell out, so if you don't see PayPal links below, they're no longer available. Thanks again for your enthusiasm regarding these patterns, and I hope you enjoy them!

Here, kitty

I grabbed the camera as we headed out yesterday for an impromptu picnic tea party. Here's a little photo essay of our adventure:

searching for the perfect spot

this spot looks good

do squirrels like crackers?

this one doesn't seem to care for them, anyway

hey! a cat!

do cats like tea?

drink your tea

ah, well. someone might just as well drink it

kiss

goodbye, then.

marching time

Blur your eyes, please

Ok, don't laugh too hard at me, will you? I'm laughing a bit, myself, so it's ok if you laugh a little. Look (but not too closely) at these completely unmatching corners!


This was a quick doll quilt, a continuation of the quilt wall for Tsia's room (did you see the results of Hillary's work? It's so beautiful, and just it time for the arrival of beautiful little Phoebe!). I had leftover pink bits from a few other projects--mostly triangles--and I wanted to do a flying geese quilt, but this was faster.


I was careful with my cutting and piecing, so don't ask how the corners are so severely mis-matched. But I thought that a little stippling might draw attention away from my shoddy work, and it gave me a good excuse to practice free-motion stitching with the new machine. Fun! It certainly requires some concentration and frequent breaks for the relaxing of tensed-up shoulders, though I'm sure the more you practice the easier it becomes.

Oh, and you must see this lovely backpack, created by India in a fabulous toile. Terrific, isn't it? It's so exciting to see the bags in their finished state; please be sure to add your photos to the Flickr group so I can get my thrills, will you?

News flash

It's official: I'll be reprinting the backpack pattern! Stay tuned, and you'll be able to buy it again via Purl and via disdressed--probably within the next week.

Meanwhile, I've started a backpack Flickr group, so please post photos of your completed bags. I'd love to see what you've done with the pattern, and I'm sure other people would enjoy seeing it as well.

New York NY

My sister is visiting for a few days, and today the weather was perfect for walking. I thought you might like to come along with us:

First, the subway to City Hall.


Then a taxi across the Brooklyn Bridge so we can walk back toward Manhattan.


Perfect opportunity for a photo


Back in downtown Manhattan: a bride


on her way to the courthouse


The sidewalk vendors setting up shop


with pretzels and soda


My favorite name for a restaurant, although I've never verified their claim


Downtown Manhattan is filled with tour buses


Windows, ready for installation


Browsing at Pearl River Mart


Color in many forms





Bubbles and more buses


Glamour in the kitchen (I may have to try that sometime!)


A quick stop to grab some lunch


which we take to the playground for a little break



Attractive shop windows


and quaint exteriors


A few bits of graffitti


and other street art (aka shoes)


Things always look good in multiples, don't they?



Movie filming all over the city this time of year


Clever signs

Economy candy: one lollipop, please


I could use one of those right about now


We're nearly home! There's Lenin greeting us from Red Square


Color in other forms (like red sequined belts)


All in all, an enjoyable way to spend a day. Thanks for joining us!

(I'm always fascinated to see how others see New York when they visit, so I thought you might enjoy seeing my perspective. Have a great weekend!)