Adventures in Dressmaking

That blue lace dress update--I took your advice!

2013-05-20T05:44:00.000-07:00

You all were totally right about this dress I made out of vintage blue lace... (without even thinking about it as I cut it out, I made the skirt length the whole width of the fabric, since it had that nice scalloped edge woven in... and it ended up way longer than I was expecting. I asked what you all thought about it, and the primary response was, yes, it should be shorter!) So I hung it in the

How to Wear DIY: The striped dress I love

2013-05-17T05:50:00.000-07:00

Loving this navy and white striped dress I made earlier this spring. It's finally warm enough to wear it out, like I did last weekend with a bright necklace and some wedges that have been in the out-of-season clothing closet for ages. Jacket: Necessary Objects via Goodwill. Necklace: F21. Shoes: Goodwill. Bag: Target. Belt: Target via Goodwill. Dress: DIY, here! Sure do love classic

New home project, new ugly mirror for the sewing room

2013-05-15T05:52:00.000-07:00

It's been quite a while since I did a spray paint project... I guess winter gets that way. But now it's spray-painting weather, and I was megaproductive last weekend and made over a super ugly mirror I got at Goodwill a while back. It's been sitting in my garage while I used a tiny square mirror from my closet in the sewing room, and I was so ready for a new one. Here's the before... pretty

Yes, make your own ketchup. Easy DIY recipe, Paleo-friendly version!

2013-05-13T05:47:00.000-07:00

I sort of hate to admit it, but I really like ketchup. I almost never have any reason to eat it, but I've always really liked the sweet/tangy taste, whether on fried things or not... but I don't think my mom has ever bought ketchup and it's not something I ever included as part of fancy or healthy meal planning. We have some (the high fructose corn syrup-free kind) but I always felt guilty using

The greatest little terrarium shop and my first attempt...

2013-05-10T06:09:00.000-07:00

Terrarium shop?? That's what I said when my coworker told me about Artemisia after getting a terrarium gift certificate from there as a birthday gift... an entire store dedicated to terrariums and indoor gardening sounded amazing! And definitely like something we would have here in Portland. Since moving into our house last year, I've decided to really try at this whole gardening thing--planters

New Mexico vacay

2013-05-08T05:52:00.000-07:00

We're back from vacation in New Mexico over a long weekend and are getting back into a normal routine, which is always hard. We haven't been on a real vacation together since our honeymoon in 2011 so this little family visit to a new, sunny place felt totally luxurious! Mostly we hung out with our little niece and nephew, and my husband's sister and her husband, in their little place on the New

Shorts inspiration, and the very fast DIY cutoff jeans shorts

2013-05-03T06:39:00.000-07:00

Want a super easy project to do this weekend? World's fasted DIY project coming up, largely because I decided to do it, did it, took the photos, and started this post in a span of about 25 minutes. Back story is, we're taking a little vacation this weekend (first time in ages! Whoo!) to visit family in New Mexico, and it's gonna be hot. (Actually, it's gonna be hot here, too, up to 86 and sunny,

BOOK MANUSCRIPT IN.

2013-05-01T06:16:00.000-07:00

This is a big day. It's May 1, sure, but it's also the due date for my book manuscript, due to my editor at Potter Craft, the craft division of Random House. I submitted it just minutes past my bedtime last night. Woooooohooooo!!! More than 9 months ago, I got the book deal (the same week we closed on our house, actually!) and was so, so excited but had months ahead of me and didn't get started

How to Wear DIY: A summer dress for a springtime baby shower

2013-04-29T05:44:00.000-07:00

Went to a baby shower this weekend! I've only been to one before and didn't really know what to expect, but the invitations were pale pink, and it's a baby girl, so... I figured it's be best to wear pastel colors and something girly, like a dress! Turns out I don't have anything pale pink. Not really, anyway. I love pink, but have very little to wear in it; actually have a lot more pale blue

Little blogging tips Part 6

2013-04-26T05:45:00.000-07:00

Part 6 of my loosely ongoing series of little blogging tips! One hobbyist blogger to others. Hope you enjoy these and get a little blogging inspiration! Suzannah's blogging tip #16: Use the free blogging tools that are available to you--today's example, comment moderation systems like Disqus. I really appreciate how easy it is to use Blogger, and even WordPress, but let's face it--their default

Pretty pictures of summer West Elm and Market goodies

2013-04-24T05:53:00.000-07:00

Last week I went to a super fun event put on by West Elm for media and bloggers--and am so honored to be invited! Our local store hosts these to launch their new lines, and I've never been able to make it before, but I am SO glad I did last week. Not only did we get a fun tour around the store to look at all the pretty new summer line (and new Market line amazingness), we had a great time

Sweater into Peter Pan collar top makeover

2013-04-22T06:02:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I did a sweater makeover... I did this one on a whim and pulled this sweater out of my Goodwill pile, but it's a super nice one--100% wool!--and I'm glad I found a new use for it. I went a little bias tape crazy since Kollabora sent me some for my book and I had a few extra colors... this 1/2" double fold bias tape in bright, almost neon red was almost perfect for the

How to Wear DIY: Printed jeans and dyed wedges

2013-04-19T06:01:00.000-07:00

This outfit, featuring those jeans I printed and the amazing wedges I dyed (is it too early for open-toed wedges and mint???!) is about the shape. Straight legs, short, puffy sleeves, tucked in... in my mind, I'm channeling Kendi and Rachel Bilson with this one. Seriously like years ago, someone printed this photo of Rachel Bilson in a tie neck short, puffy-sleeved blouse tucked into straight

Skirt surgery! The remade neon pencil skirt

2013-04-17T06:03:00.000-07:00

I have been craving COLOR this spring! So when I found a neon candy apple green pencil skirt at Goodwill I bought it even though they didn't have my size. They had a bunch donated from Target, tags still on and all, but they were all larger than I wear. But I loved the bright color! So I did some skirt surgery. Truly, surgery. Took it apart, extracted some stuff, put it back together. Here's the

Made myself a classic striped dress

2013-04-15T06:01:00.000-07:00

Another new dress for spring! I think I've been dreaming about this one for a while, actually, looking back through all my fun dress inspirations on my dresses pinboard... My navy and white stripe dress inspiration goes way back to the beginning of my Pinterest days! See what I mean? Source: rocknlovedoll.wordpress.com via Suzannah on Pinterest Source: kendieveryday.com via

How to make fresh coconut milk--from a sweet young coconut!

2013-04-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to share this today, and so proud of my husband for [blogging at all and] posting this awesome photo tutorial (photos by yours truly) on how to make your own coconut milk (fresh, sweet, and preservative- and filler-free!) with a sweet young coconut--rather than dried coconut. No boiling water involved! I've seen people make coconut milk at home by mixing dried coconut flakes with

How to make a peplum top out of any dress pattern! Two ways...

2013-04-11T06:04:00.000-07:00

I know that peplums may not be the first trend you think of when you think "spring"... but I definitely look forward to a chance to wear a top without several layers under and over it to keep warm, and I've really loved wearing the peplum tops I made last summer! While I'm pretty sure you can find a pattern for a peplum tank these days, I've never used one or needed one. You can easily use any

How to Wear DIY: Blue skirt from Megan Nielsen pattern, and DIY shoes

2013-04-08T06:28:00.000-07:00

After a couple weeks of deceptive sun and high '70's temperatures... we've had some rain recently. So, my attempt to look springy despite a cruel bit of rain over the weekend. I'm craving COLOR!! So I pulled out the bright skirt I made last spring from Megan Nielsen's Kelly Skirt pattern I got to test out. I'm slowly pulling the summer clothes out of the guest room closet, and this was one of

Super easy Paleo-friendly chocolate cupcakes

2013-04-02T05:58:00.000-07:00

I used to be quite the baker. In high school and college, I played around with my favorite cake and cookie recipes, kept a binder of the best magazine pages and printed notes, and had even recreated the world's best chocolate chip cookies, as determined by The Splendid Table. But, three years ago I became raw vegan and stopped eating grains and anything baked in an oven! I had no problem

New peplum top experimentation

2013-04-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

New kind of peplum time! I got a little experimental with this one, inspired by the looser, softer, more casual peplums I've seen this season, and I'd say for the most part it worked. So here's some less-structured peplum inspiration, then the rest of the story... Source: mlovesm.blogspot.com via Suzannah on Pinterest Source: margaretjacobsen.com via Suzannah on Pinterest I've

Weekend Inspiration: Art and offices

2013-03-29T06:05:00.000-07:00

This week has been intense and it's soooo time for the weekend! I spent 10.5 hours at work yesterday finishing up a report, and of course have a book to write when I get home. ;) So I've been trying to relax and enjoy the tasty Paleo dinners we've been making, new episodes of New Girl and Pretty Little Liars on Hulu (my guiltiest pleasures!), dark chocolate, and the pretty things I've been

Sewing Circle: Paper bag waist shorts!

2013-03-27T06:06:00.000-07:00

I haven't done a Sewing Circle post in a while, but I just heard from a reader who said it was her favorite feature... and, I have a great recent question to share with you! I'd love to hear anyone's successes with this at home, too... have you ever used the paper bag skirt tutorial (or the simple paper bag waist skirt version) for shorts?? I got this question from Madison: Q: I was wondering

Made my own applique! DIY heart tee with iron-on

2013-03-25T05:46:00.000-07:00

Happy to show off an advancement in my tee applique methods; always be growing, right? I've done plenty of spray adhesive on fabric before to make appliques, but this year found a less-messy method that I used on this tee and this pillow. But, I have finally tried out an even better method. I've been meaning to try iron-on adhesive, to basically create my own patches or appliques or fabric

My favorite quotes and reminders: Stress and happiness for people who do too much...

2013-03-22T06:06:00.000-07:00

This isn't the prettiest topic, but it's something on my mind and probably yours, too. This post has been in draft form for quite a while now but I recently checked something related off my to-do list and now feel like I have something good to share. I've mentioned before that I was reading and really enjoying The Happiness Project. Really super fantastic book (categorized as "self-help" and "

How to Wear DIY: Painted things, and the style shoot for non-style bloggers

2013-03-21T06:24:00.000-07:00

This How to Wear DIY comes with a fun and hopefully inspiring back story--I wore these DIY pieces to the Portland Bloggers "Strike a Pose" style shoot event, a fantastic and sold-out "style shoot for non-style bloggers" as I tried to describe it, a chance for any of us Portland Bloggers to get some quality photos taken to use on our blogs. I hope I can humbly say that this was my idea... tee