Aesthetic Nest

FYI: Head-Over-Heels in Crochet

2012-02-22T06:25:00.000-07:00

You’ve probably noticed that crochet has made a comeback. Likely because of the increased interest in DIY and all things handmade. I've love seeing it as trim on women’s dresses and skirts, adorning cute baby layettes, constructing market bags, children’s toys, and home accessories (beyond the ratty afghans you may have inherited from your grandma-- I have them too). I love the bright

Craft: Eyelet Tissue Pom Poms (Tutorial)

2012-02-20T22:33:00.000-07:00

I've had a bit of a fascination with eyelet, lace, doilies, and somehow hobnail milk glass fits in there too (see what I've been pinning). I guess it's about shades of white and texture. I think it's beautiful. I've always loved a restrained color palette and it doesn't get much more restrained than shades of white! I thought it would be fun to try a variation on the ever popular tissue

Craft: Heart Doily Poms (Tutorial)

2012-02-14T06:54:00.000-07:00

The most fragile things seem to be the most beautiful. I guess it's the fleetingness that captivates us. Paper hearts. Sometimes we have paper hearts. For Valentine's this year I hung heart poms made from paper doilies. I had ideas for more--a rare Valentine's inspired brainstorm--but I didn't get to them. Maybe I'll go ahead and make some of them later anyway. A belated happy heart day

FYI: This Life

2012-02-09T15:58:00.000-07:00

I have always been taught that This Life is about gaining experience. About being proven: tested to see if I will make the right choices when the inevitable obstacles are encountered. And I have always understood that cerebrally. But, ouch, it's amazing how this life can still surprise... As a child thinking about what I might be facing in years ahead, I imagined standing up strong in the

Sewing: No Sew Fleece Blankets

2012-01-24T21:52:00.000-07:00

How do you like the irony in that title? I know these no-sew fleece blankets abound, but I've never made one. Maybe it's because I have a hard time spotting fleece I love. Or because the fleece blankets we own are used mostly for outdoor activities, such as picnics, so the logo'd variety we've picked up over the years work just fine. I just haven't wanted to go there. But these tied

Cooking: Muffaleta Sandwiches

2012-01-23T14:32:00.000-07:00

Hungry? I know, I know. January is supposed to be the month we are all very disciplined, compensating for the indulgences over the holidays. I am with you! But, the Super Bowl is coming up, and sometimes in the winter it's nice to have something flavorful and hearty. So here's one if you are having a day like that: The Muffaleta Sandwich! Have you ever had one? It's manly. The first

Crochet: Skinny Scarf in Grey and Cream

2012-01-18T17:38:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm still playing around with this scarf pattern. I'm playing with the gauge a bit. And wanted to try a two tone. I love these neutrals and can't help thinking about lots of fun colorful combinations: teal and orange, purple and chartreuse, mustard and red, bubblegum pink and fuchsia. I don't think I'll have time to make them all! This Skinny Scarf uses Lion Brand Wool Ease

Crochet: Skinny Scarf

2012-01-16T06:48:00.000-07:00

I made some skinny shell scarves like this for my sisters and some girlfriends a few years ago and have been thinking about my own take on the pattern. This red scarf is take one. I crocheted it with Stitch Nation Bamboo Ewe yarn in Lipstick. It's a great, cool red. I love lightweight scarves like this for wearing all day long. Such an opportunity for a shot of color. And so many ways

Printables: Vintage Book Birthday Suite Update

2012-01-12T22:57:00.001-07:00

I loved planning and hosting Tess's first birthday party last summer, so it always makes me happy when someone wants to use the printables for a party of her own. I had a request for a version of the original with a bit more of the pink and aqua and I started thinking about all the other fun variations that were possible so I couldn't resist taking a run at it. It was so fun! I think I may

FYI: Reflections and Predictions at Sew, Mama, Sew!

2012-01-10T13:41:00.002-07:00

Sew, Mama, Sew! is running a great series on sewing reflections and predictions for 2012 and asked me to participate. You can read the interview here. It's difficult for me to put a stake in the ground when asked questions about "best," "favorite" and "least"--there are so many fabrics, and patterns, and projects, and sewists I love--but I gave it a shot! I picked my Chevron Chenille Blanket

Party: Chevron-Dot Baby Shower (Printables)

2012-01-09T06:50:00.000-07:00

I have always loved hosting get-togethers and parties, and always loved cards and invitations, but I realized that it just may be that designing the party "printables" is filling the PowerPoint void left when I retired from my marketing career to stay home with my girls. At work PowerPoint always inspired me to spend more time than necessary designing and nudging and playing with motifs in

FYI: Time for Resolutions

2012-01-06T14:46:00.000-07:00

I am not much of a New Year's Eve fan. I'm not sure why, maybe I should plan something sparkly for next year and see if it gets more exciting. But I am a big fan of the new year. A new day. A new undertaking. A new list of things to do. I love the idea (theoretical though it may be) of a fresh start! Such an opportunity to change and improve. So, just like every other year, I've got a

Crochet: Sedge Stitch Maxi Cowl (Pattern)

2012-01-02T23:40:00.001-07:00

Happy new year! It's a great time for list-makers, like me. I've been out of town enjoying some time with my family and mentally working on my list. Some things "bloggy" but first a bunch of a things "mommy." Not too unusual I bet. Before the list gets too long (perpetually of course) I am happy to be able to cross off one thing, and that is a Sedge Stitch Cowl in a maxi size. I loved

Sewing: Minky Ultimate Couch Blanket (How-to)

2011-12-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

I didn't get to much on my handmade list for Christmas this year, but I did make a blanket for my husband. He's a bit tough to buy for so I was excited and relieved to come up with this idea for him: the ultimate couch blanket. I know it looks simply like a beautiful, plush, minky blanket in a generous size (72" long and about 60" wide), and it is! But there is more... It has a

FYI: It's a Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T22:47:00.000-07:00

I have always loved Christmas. I have loved it's true meaning--a baby born in Bethlehem. And I have loved all the well-meaning accompaniments too, the occassion to give generously to family and friends and to share with strangers, the music, smiling at fellow shoppers, even the hub-bub of the mall with your list and a limited time to check it all off. It has certainly changed over the years

Cooking: Puffy Oven Pancake

2011-12-20T10:51:00.002-07:00

Dana invited me to share a "Sweets and Treats" recipe on MADE for her Christmas countdown this month and now I'm sharing it here with you: Puffy Oven Pancake. It's not just for breakfast! My family lived in Germany when I was small and picked up so many of their great traditions, especially those associated with Christmas. While we fell out of practice with some of them over the years, one

Crochet: Sedge Stitch Cowl (Tutorial for Waverly)

2011-12-16T05:30:00.000-07:00

Still working on Christmas gifts? I am with you! I have been guilty of working on gifts (hats one year, scarves the next) as the guests were arriving! I just can't resist the idea of having a little something handmade for everyone. Well, this Sedge Stitch Cowl makes that compulsion possible. You could make it in a few short hours! Make a couple in one evening! It's

Sewing: Christmas Clothes for Audrey and Tess

2011-12-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

When I designed the Couture Skirt for Audrey earlier this year I chose a blush-colored wool but couldn't help thinking about all the other possibilities, including a natural linen (one of the fabrics I've been sewing a lot with lately--see here and here for instance). Perhaps an odd choice for the colder months but I think it works, don't you? Perhaps it was the

Cooking: Cranberry Pudding for Christmas

2011-12-14T21:36:00.000-07:00

My mother used to make this cranberry pudding every Christmas, well at least since about the time I was in junior high school. We would do a progressive dinner with some close family friends right before Christmas and this was always the dessert my mother chose to serve. Warm out of the oven with a substantial puddle of caramel sauce it is pretty hard to beat! Especially on a frosty night.

Sewing: Scarlett's Christmas Dress

2011-12-13T00:16:00.000-07:00

Oh, the Christmas dresses. I love to sew them! And every year I vow to start earlier the next. I guess I succeeded this year somewhat because they are finished--but it felt a bit late for the purpose of a Christmas card photo. Oh well. There's always next year! Early or late, I think this dress for Scarlett is just right! I love it on her. I think the princess seaming and fit-and-flare

Crochet: Twine Snowflakes

2011-12-08T21:15:00.001-07:00

Call it "theme and variation" but after a bit of experimentation I think I've found what these crochet snowflakes were meant for: cotton twine. I absolutely love them made out of this material! They look so rich--like linen or hemp or flax--yet so humble. And this is a perfect shade of "natural." I just used regular hardware store twine (which I actually bought at the grocery store),

Sewing: Clothing Inspired by A. A. Milne and E.H. Shepard

2011-12-05T06:22:00.000-07:00

Did you see Katy's Once Upon a Thread series? Such a great idea. I love combining two of my "loves": children's books and sewing. In case you missed my book-inspired creations I'm sharing them here today, including a tutorial for a darling red boiled wool jacket for baby. Need a quick solution for a just-in-time holiday photo? The classic A.A. Milne stories weren't so much a part of

Sewing: Rick Rack Dishtowels for Christmas

2011-11-30T21:30:00.001-07:00

One of the things I love about sewing is that it gives you the skills to transform something ordinary and utilitarian into a thoughtful creative expression. Even better if it is a gift! Perhaps dishtowels or dishcloths seem like the most mundane of gifts, but really they are the opportunity to add a thoughtful touch or even a bit of luxury to the every day. And, if they aren't perfectly to

Crochet: Sparkle Snowflake Applique (Tutorial)

2011-11-28T14:35:00.000-07:00

Oh, it's hard to imagine that in one weekend we clean up the Thanksgiving feast, pull down the Fall decorations and get ready for Christmas! I didn't really. What Fall stuff we have (not a lot) is still up. But I do have the December holidays on the brain. I'm excited! We gathered with my family last night and sat around my sister's Christmas tree. It was the first Advent Sunday and we'll

Winner: The Cottage Mama Pattern Giveaway

2011-11-26T22:36:00.001-07:00

Wondering about The Cottage Mama pattern giveaway? Well, we have a couple winners: madj said...I like Cottage Mama on Facebook. Liz said...I love that pattern with the corduroy! Congratulations! Two Shortcake Reversible Romper and Dress patterns will be on their way to you shortly! As for me, I just pulled some more finewale corduroy out of my stash and have plans to