quick links

This film short was waiting for me when we returned home this summer. It's brilliant! And the creator of the film, Hollie, has her own very fun blog where she posts her crafts as well as the adventures of Mr. Furly. Stay tuned for lots of creativity.


Also, I wanted to point you to a giveaway of Jane's fantastic book, which has now been published in the U.S. I can't recommend it enough. If you're already a reader of her blog, I'm sure you can understand why.

more Grandma

Whew! Fall orders have been shipped, and we're starting to catch up on things that didn't get done while we were away. So S and I took the day off to get some laundry done, run the vacuum, etc. What a relief to have a clean house again! It's nice to be home.

Ok, back to Grandma. I think I'll split things up a bit into several posts rather than show you everything all at once:

This is one of Grandma's designs that she taught as a class. It combines a cross-stitch ribbon design with some pulled thread work. (Right, Mom? I can't remember what this is called. Mom has stitched this one, and it's gorgeous.)




Here is another of Grandma's designs. Remember, I just ran around her house snapping photos, so these aren't great shots. But this is blackwork, and I love the design itself as well as the various patterns and textures that comprise the interior designs. Someday maybe I'll stitch one of these myself. It would be a terrific center for a quilt, wouldn't it?

And I've always loved this one. This was a class she took, and each student designed her own smocking pattern while making a fan. The silk itself has faded enormously, but it's still beautiful. It looks great in Grandma's living room, too. I should have photographed her living room; very not typical Grandma-ish. Spare and modern feeling, actually, although furnished mostly with antiques.

I'll take photos of that next time.

short and sweet

Oh, so much to tell you! Most of it needs to wait for another day when I'm not so tired. But here are a few items:

The fall Oliver + S line is now live on the website. Go. Sew. Enjoy.

The new issue of small magazine is out, too. Super cute illustrations by Jayme McGowan and lots of great photo styling. Do check it out!


Also, I'm loving these calligraphy styles and am trying to not send these folks everything I ever write. I love it so much I want to send them my To Do list everyday. That would be really inefficient, wouldn't it?

Ok, more later.

sewn

Hey, we've posted a free sewing pattern over at Oliver + S. That ribbon hem technique could be used in lots of other ways, too. I'd love to see what you make with the skirt instructions or just the ribbon hem, so please post a photo or two to the Oliver + S Flickr group when you're done. Enjoy!

Also, I actually had time for a quick summer sewing project this summer once the fall patterns went to the printer. And what did I make? Well, Tea Party sundresses, of course! I've listed the Oliver + S Tea Party sundresses in silk dupioni on ebay (Auction over. Sorry.). See the Oliver + S blog for more details about the dresses.

doll clothes part 3

I wasn't planning to show you these, but they fit the theme perfectly.



Apparently troll dolls were very popular in the 1960's, a little before my siblings and cousins and I arrived on the scene. But my aunt was the right age for them. She and a friend made all these little clothes for their troll dolls using Grandma's scraps. I think the dolls and their wardrobes must have been a favorite Grandma's House toy for all of us. Personally, I spent hours dressing them and re-dressing them with my sister.


The clothes are amazing. Grandma didn't know how clever they are until just the other day when S and I were making some repairs to the decades of Grandkid Damage that has accumulated. They're made mostly from felt, but you'll see some fur, French lace, and fashion fabrics mixed in there as well. Some of the outfits have hook-and-eye closures, others have buttons or snaps, and some have no closures at all. I've already found inspiration from several of them.

Rather than bombard you and the blog with troll photos, I'll just send you over the the Flickr set if you want to see more. I've added some notes to the photos that detail my limited knowledge of them.

Postscript: Ok, a quick Flickr search found this. I had no idea there was a sewing pattern for troll clothes! Love Flickr.

Grandma

I've told you a little bit about my Grandma, but today I'll make it a real Show and Tell. S and I are visiting her for a few days, so I raided her basement for a few things to photograph. Sorry for the lack of styling; S has been cranky and is ready to return home, I think. She says she misses the cat. So we just laid everything on the carpet and took care of business as quickly as we could.

Grandma studied fashion design in college and worked for a dress manufacturer in Chicago until she got married. She's done a bit of everything: had a radio show, made jewelry, taught crafts on a weekly television program, and travelled all over the world to teach needle arts.

Here is a pillow Grandma wove. And this, by the way, is why someday I will be a weaver. I must make things like this. Must:

In the 1950's, Grandma taught a new project on her television program every week. This is a picnic-type placement, with pockets for utensils. I can't imagine preparing and explaining a project like this so frequently. And I love how this basic concept is still being used in craft books and magazines even today. Nothing like a timeless idea, even if aesthetic tastes change a bit over time, hmm?

Here is a towel for wiping your dog's feet when he comes inside, also from the TV show:

This wasn't from the T.V. program. She purchased an unfinished wood box and made into this fantastic box for playing cards. She distressed it (yes, I really can spell, folks!) by putting it into a bag or box with nails and hardware so it developed this weathered patina. And even the inside of the box is beautifully finished. Don't you love the stained glass on the top? My sister and I have always admired this; it's been the only item on Grandma's coffee table for as long as I can remember.

Shall I show you more? I'll try to take more photos tomorrow; her house if full of amazing hand-made projects that I'd love to share with you.

doll clothes part 2

can be found over here. I originally intended to post it on disdressed, but it evolved as something so relevant to the Oliver + S blog I couldn't resist.

now I can sleep

I love this piece from the New York Times last week: Ten things to scratch from your worry list.

doll clothes part 1

Ok, brace yourself. I know these might be a little scarey to some, but these were my beloved Barbie clothes growing up and I still love them.


Are your eyes bleeding yet? I don't know if you can still buy it, but these were sewn from patterns printed directly onto the fabric, with all the instructions printed on the waste fabric. Like this:


Isn't that cool? Clothkits does something like this for kids' clothing. I really like the concept, but part of me also feels like it takes some of the fun out of sewing; your dress will look like anyone else's dress when it's done, since everyone uses the same pattern and fabric.

But anyway, back to the doll clothes.


Did you take a good look at that faux patchwork fabric on the left? It just screams 1976 to me. Not to mention the "colonial" dress in the middle. Because everyone during the revolution walked around with illustrations of soldiers on their gowns, don't you know. So, so awesome.

Paper stuff

I just discovered this half-written post in my box and remembered all these great links I wanted to share with you a few months ago. So if it's too hot outside today, break out the cardstock; here are all sorts of fun things to do with your afternoon:



Look out! These little printable patterns are totally addictive, even if you have way too many pressing deadlines. Print them directly on cardstock for hours of fun. And yes, I meant to sound like a cheesy late-night commercial there. But seriously, this is an amazing site. Everything seems to be free, and it's all cute!

Sweet drawing style and fun illustration, colored or not.


I love this idea: a little paper boat at the end of your tea bag string. What better way to prevent the string from getting sucked into your cup when you add the water?

Thanks to this link, we're all sporting the Philip Johnson look around here.

Cute paper dolls to print and color.

birdhouse skirt

Any guesses about the origin of this skirt?


I found two window valences in a thrift shop last summer. Yes, the skirt had a previous life as a window dressing in someone’s kitchen! Funny, yes? It’s a clever fabric. I actually thought it was all appliquéd until I studied it more closely; the design is printed, and the manufacturer zigzag-stitched around each item in the print with a color-coordinated thread. The result is a dimensional, hand-stitched appearance that I love. And I think it’s just kitch-y enough without being over the top.


There is a second valence waiting for some other project, or for a second birdhouse skirt someday when this one is out-grown. I suspect that the donator of the valences would be somewhat surprised to see it running through through the backyard in this manner!