xoxo

April

+ Just in case you didn't know Blossom is entirely free!! Such an incredible gift to be shared! ♥

to a beautiful New Year!!!!

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[Peplum Party Dress in Palos Verdes voile by Cloud 9]

[Peplum Party Dress in Anna Maria Horner Dowry cotton from Sew To Speak]

I panned on sharing more from the #HolidayPepalong photo shoot just before the Christmas holiday, instead here they are, just in time for New Years Eve... delightful Peplum Party dresses, fit to ring in 2014! 

[Riding Peplum in Anna Maria Horner Field Study voile from Sew To Speak]

We had quite a nice time taking these photos (all by Suzanne Gipson ♥) at the gorgeous studio of  Hart & Honey, in Grandview, Ohio. The owners Ashley and Lily, are two amazingly talented ladies and it was an inspiring space to send the afternoon. The light was brilliant and Amanda was stunning as always.. I pretty much wish my whole world looked exactly like this... brilliantly clean with warm wooden accents, pretty dresses hanging on an industrial rack, softly painted chairs and a scull above the doorway. Yes. Just like that.

Perhaps you're still busily making gifts... 

but if all your package's are wrapped, then seize the moment and make yourself a festive dress!! 

It's a very good thing that the Party Dress pattern sews up FAST because I just finished this red deer dress less than an hour before today's shoot, 

and now here it is...

The main fabric is Lineage in Coffee by Anna Maria Horner.. a gorgeous print with a beautiful backstory, the back is a knit lace I've had for sometime now, both are from our shop, Sew To Speak.

I'm very blessed to have the dress modeled by lovely friend Amanda and photographed by Suzanne. We shot at the gorgeous studio of Hart & Honey.  I can't wait to share the other photo's... I'll probably be posting them here and in various other places in a few days. They are pretty much magical. The waiting might kill me. 

Join me for a #holidaypepalong on IG and Facebook ;)

Yippy!!! It's done. I'm so happy to push "publish" on this one. It is my favorite by far! 

Now, here it is, hot off the press and fresh in the shop! 

Plus if you feel like reading my little blurb about it...

THE RIDING PEPLUM or PARTY DRESS is a quick-to-sew, easy-to-wear pattern with subtle bust darts and a slightly loose waistline. The riding-length peplum is perfectly designed to be pulled on and worn effortlessly with your favorite skinny jeans or leggings. Run out and ride a horse, a bike or a motorcycle! Shoes and accessories can quickly dress it up or dress it down. The party dress-length peplum has the same easy fit with added length for a fun, swingy skirt. It’s perfect for ladies’ night out or New Year’s Eve and that midnight kiss!

It's been a while since I've posted here... I post A LOT over on Instagram! It's a nice place to do that, especially when I'm rushing about or just not feeling very wordy.

Still, I've been meaning to devote proper time to publishing some photos from Houston Quilt Market... It was a very rush-rush sort of trip (as usual) and I didn't snap as many photos as I typically do (was I chatting too much?! perhaps..) but what I did capture is a lot of color and texture. Beautiful and inspiring. 

Here are some of my market faves...

The booths:

Notice Anna Maria In the foreground? snapping photos for her IG.. ;) 

HAPI by Amy Butler

A gorgeous and eclectic mix of print and color

with a bright bohemian vibe.

Meadow by Leah Duncan

Soft and dreamy with the best shades of green, yellow and peach.

I was thrilled to help with Leah's market prep and make her a Staple and Date Night dress from this new line. She didn't have much fabric left to work with so we got thrifty and used the small pieces to  create a color block affect. It looked fantastic on her!

Cotton & Steel

Of course they didn't have anything to show this time (except this little tease of framed logos) but when they do I'm certain it will knock all our socks off!!!

Melody, Rashida, Sarah, Alexia and Kim are some amazingly talented ladies! 

Did you see their video?! RAD!

Ordering:

I always have a bast ordering with my mom, for Sew To Speak!!!

I buried her in a pile of beauty at the Kokka/Seven Islands table.. 

here's some Japanese I picked for the shop. I'm so very excited to work it!!!

Of course we got our Amy and Anna...

as well as Rae's AWESOME new line from Cloud 9.

And I gushed over this Palos Verdes' voile!!!

{shhh... it actually might appear on my next pattern cover! Eeek!!}

♥ ♥ Then there was the great moments spent talking with friends and meeting so many wonderful and creative people ♥ ♥ 

Had a much needed coffee and chat with my girl, Rae Holkstra! So happy about her news!!

And I finally met Caroline in REAL LIFE!

Pus, I ate some amazing meal with mom... the best or which was a at very decadent restaurant with a great crowd of super cool shop owners and designers. The type of situation I never imagined I'd be in... such great conversation and laughter.

Phew. The whole trip was quite exhausting and exhilarating all at once. It always is. And I can't wait until the next time!

;)

What have I been doing since then?!

 Fiddling around with two new patterns!

The Riding Peplum & Party Dress

and 

The Popover Poncho

I don't have any official photos yet but these are a few peeks I've posted.. (the wolf print was just a wild muslin I made and have been wearing surprisingly often).

I hope to have them out (as PDFs) before Christmas. It's kind of a lofty goal, as there is still so much work to be done, but I'm sure going to try.