belle epoque

Craft books are often at the top of my Christmas wish list. I’ve been spoiled enough to have several lovely ones put into my hot little hands lately, so I figured I’d do a series of posts about them, in case you need a little something to add to your holiday list! I always like to actually complete a project from a book before posting about it, since that is the best way to gauge how really good the book is, but if I tried to do that I think I’d never get all the posts up before the holidays, so some will be with-project and some will be without.

The first one I want to tell you about is one I have been dying to get my hands on. A lovely friend passed along a copy of Linda’s beautiful book Crochet Adorned, and I jumped right in.

Crochet is another one of those things that I learned at my mother’s knee when I was small and home sick from school. Despite years of practice, I can never really remember all the different stitches or where exactly to join a round with a slip stitch. So I was very grateful that Linda’s book does not assume prior knowledge, but gently and thoroughly explains all you’ll need to know to do the projects — with excellent illustrations besides. The instructions and stitch charts for each project are very easy to read, and in addition to the beautiful projects, she includes an amazing compendium of patterns at the back of the book. I’m particularly intrigued by the daffodil pattern, and if I had the right weight and colors of crochet cotton I would make a teeny weeny one to put on a hair clip for HMB (which would be immediately pulled out and tossed, but it is the thought that counts, yes?).

Anyway, since I did want to do a project before posting, but also wanted to post right away, I chose a small but lovely one– the Dainty Earrings. I did not use the crochet cotton called for by the pattern, as I was in a rush and grabbed what I had, but was so happy with the outcome nonetheless! And so quick–the crocheted part was completed in the 30 minutes between my waking up and HMB calling me to come get her this morning.

They are like glittery snowflakes, and I adore them. I did spray them with stiffener once I was done, as I think the larger thread makes them floppier than they would have been if I’d used the specified thread.

I am itching to try some of the more advanced projects, and as I’ve *already* begun to think about my post-baby wardrobe (SO tired of wearing either maternity/nursing clothes, which I’ve calculated I’ll be in/have been in for at least 3 years before I’m done), I think I might just go ahead and get started on the Floral Motif Yoke Top, which I’ve wanted to make since Linda posted her original version at least a year or two before the book ever came out!

Anyway, if you haven’t already added it to your wish list, I wholeheartedly recommend this one. Even if you don’t think you are a crochet sort of person, this is just the book to really inspire you to give it a go!

In addition to having a baby myself, I’m surrounded by lovely friends having babies too! Which of course is always a good excuse for some tiny, fun crafting. One of my dearest friends had her baby shower this weekend, prompting a few projects. I made a bunch of shrink plastic necklaces with clip art from children’s book illustrations to use for a game


And the ever-popular appliqued onesie– I copied the elephant she used on her invitation to make the applique, then used heat’n'bond lite and hand stitched the edges using a blanket stitch. I would have used my Bernina’s machine blanket, but I was working during naptime and didn’t want to risk waking HMB with the hum.

I have more things in mind for this particular baby, but my pre-shower craft time was limited. I will have to work fast, though, as this little guy is due a month before my wee girl!

I realised when plotting my Mamadrobe for fall, I need some new accessories to go with it. Jewelry making was one of the first crafts I learned (after embroidery), but I get kind of bored of what I can make for myself. So, what to do? That’s easy-acquire some jewelry that makes me feel enthused and excited and thrilled! Enter Ali’s line Designalicious. I know I’ve written about her work before, but she’s doing lots of great new stuff so if you’re looking for a few pieces for fall, look no further!

I had my eye on these at Renegade

but the baby was being kind of fussy and it was loud and overwhelming and I hadn’t had enough sleep so I whiffed on buying anything. Thankfully when I came to my senses Ali still had a pair! And because she likes me (you do, right Ali?) she also sent me this super-neat little zippy bag:

How cool is that? Next time I see her I’m going to ask her for tips on free motion sewing…

Ok, *so* exciting. My contributor copies of Bead Simple arrived in the mail just a few days ago, and goodness, this book is gorgeous

My mom (who just left yesterday, wahhh!) was also blown away and kept thumbing through it saying “Oh! This book is so beautiful!”

I was so honored to be a contributor, and it is such fun to see the amazing photos they took of my version of Susan’s Duo Earrings

I had so much fun making them, and all of the other projects in the book are so inspiring too!

The beauty of the book is that all of the different takes on each project show you how to use whatever materials you have to make something wonderful. To celebrate the release of the book on March 25th, I made yet another version of the duo earring that I’d like to give away! I’m almost all out of beachy charms, so these ones are made with antique glass leaf and flower pendants that I got in Venice many years ago

Just leave a comment on this post and I’ll pick a winner on the book’s release date, March 25th. In the meantime, you can preorder the book at Taunton, Amazon or your favorite bookstore! And if you’re in the Portland, OR area, be sure to mark your calendar for Susan’s reading at downtown Powell’s on April 7th at 7:30pm!

I have been a huge admirer of Abigail Halpin’s work for a long time now. Back in an earlier incarnation of her website, she offered sweet screen savers, and her “Tourists” screen saver was on my work computer for literally years. I’ve also been lucky enough to acquire a number of her beautiful illustrations over the years. I was dithering about what to do with them, and finally realised they belonged in the baby’s room, so she could peer at them out of her wee peepers (for the brief moments she is awake, she does a LOT of serious looking around). So I arranged three pieces in a frame together and I love it:

Abigail recently has been making lovely tiny pendants with petite portraits in them.

The moment I saw that one on her blog I knew I *had* to have it (much as I felt about Bethany’s pillow). And lucky me, I snagged it in time! She sent it beautifully wrapped, with lovely goodies:

aside: Abigail, if you want to sell me a print of the illustration on your postcard, I would snap it up but quick, so let me know
And I put it on immediately

Hooray! Do visit Abigail’s Etsy Shop and check it out if you are as in love with her charming, whimsical aesthetic as I am!

Something else thrilling came in the mail yesterday that needs a whole post to itself, so I’ll tell you all about that tomorrow!

And now I’ll sign off with the obligatory baby picture, dressed in her tres chic petunia picklebottom onesie

Ciao!

Without further ado, I’d like to announce that the winner of the Bead Simple Giveaway is Cindy! Cindy, I don’t think you have a blog (you didn’t enter one in your comment), but I’ve e-mailed you to get your mailing address. If you happen to check back here today, congratulations! And please e-mail me your address at belleepoquewhimsy [!at!] gmail [!dot!] com (omitting the brackets etc).

And because you are all so fun for playing, I also pulled a runner up who will get some other little goodies– congratulations Stacey! I’ve e-mailed you for an address too, but if you see this first, please drop me a line and tell me where to mail your goodies.

Thank you all so much for entering! In my opinion you are ALL winners, who, not too long from now will have Susan’s book in your hands and get to enjoy pages and pages of stylish bead inspiration.

p.s. To make the clean-out of my studio more fun, I’ll be doing a few more giveaways in the coming weeks(fabric, paper, etc) so stay tuned.

I hope you’ve already heard that the divine Susan Beal has a book coming out in March. It is called Bead Simple, and it is chock full of original, creative projects. Susan designed all of the pieces and then got a ton of cool crafty people to do their own spin on each one (full disclosure: I was absolutely tickled to try my hand at one of them too, and it is in there).

I got a sneak peek at the book in person recently and people, it is BEAUTIFUL. It is encyclopedic in scope, and artistic in presentation. I’ve seen a lot of beading books and I have to say, this one blows them all out of the water. Click on the image above to go to the Bead Simple site for more details and serious eye candy.

Now that we’ve established that you need this book (really, you do), I’m going to attempt to make it even sweeter. I’ve been doing a major de-stash of my crafty space, and I have a passel of beads to pass on to a fellow crafter. Pop over to Amazon or Taunton and pre-order Bead Simple, then come back here and comment, and one week from today I shall randomly pick a name from the comments and send her (or him!) this grab-bag assortment of beads, all packed into a priority mail box (’cause these babies are heavy!):

You don’t get my glass jar of lavender or my cake stand, just the assortment of beads (which will arrive in the boxes and cylinders you see them in). They are mostly seed beads, but there are some findings and other surprises in there too. I might even tuck a bit of other handmade goodness into the box if there’s room.

To make it even more exciting, Susan has generously offered to send the winner a beautiful Bead Simple Vintagesque Necklace Kit

AND some fantastic vintage lucite beads too!

So, let’s re-cap: you preorder the amazing Bead Simple, you comment here by February 6th, and you get the chance to win all the loot you see above. And really, you win no matter what, ’cause you’ll be one of the first people to enjoy Susan’s awesome book as soon as it is released! Yay!

*Misc Details: In case you’re wondering, I am not currently an Amazon affiliate and do not receive a penny if you click over there from here and order the book- it is just a convenient place to send you! I will not ask to see your e-receipt for the pre-order if you win, but please do play fair and order the book before entering. And I’m sorry to say I can only send within the U.S. Because of how heavy the beads are I’m afraid the shipping would be egregious to send them elsewhere! Any questions? Leave ‘em in the comments and I’ll update this post with the answers.

I’ve been busily packaging up the holiday orders from the shop (thank you to my lovely buyers!),

making presents to mail to family far away, like my lovely aunt (who doesn’t read this blog)

and seeing pink elephants!

That wee elephant, from Hillary Lang’s pattern in Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts, is a birthday present for a little lady I know who is turning 2 years old shortly. I used a piece of glazed cotton that originally came from a shower curtain my mother made years ago. I like using home decor fabric for softies and other unexpected things (like jackets or skirts), and I feel like this petite pachiderm belongs in a wisteria-festooned gazebo at a garden party!

I’m getting a lot more out of my new favorite fruit thanks to your helpful comments on the last post about peeling and cutting a mango! Thank you!

I’ve been occupied with writing work this week, with no time to drag out the sewing machine and stitch anything at all. Which may be why my posts have been few and far between- I feel like I’m cheating when I blog without something to show for myself.

But even when I don’t have time to deal with the larger-scale mess of a sewing project, I need my craft fix. So this week it has been all about tiny jewelry projects, a few of which are in my etsy shop.

Earrings are possibly my favorite jewelry item. They make an appreciable difference in an outfit without being annoying (unless they are heavy or pinch, boo), they are small so you can pack lots when you go on vacation, and you can use the very best materials without breaking the bank, since you only need a little of everything to make them.

From Camilla I learned that the wonderful jewelry designer from whom I got these earrings has opened up a shop on etsy. Perhaps it isn’t good business to steer you away from my work, but Designalicious jewelry is just gorgeous. Like so much handmade work you can buy online, it is impossible to appreciate how beautiful it is in person in even the best picture, so if you see anything you like over there, buy it and be assured that when you get it you will be happy.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned it lately but my new decade birthday is exactly a week away! I’m all about celebrating every possible chance I get, so there will be much revelry in the schedule, including a visit from family this weekend. Perhaps there won’t be much sewing, but I’ll be gathering up ideas for projects to try when everything settles down a bit.

I’ve been doing this and that the past few days, like…

*A lovely breakfast with Nancy today at The Grove on Chestnut, where they made art out of my mocha,

and I presented her with a jar of the strawberry preserves I made the other day:

She is kindly being a guinea pig, as I’m afraid the recipe wasn’t quite right– the sugar/strawberry ratio led it not to gel properly, and to taste something like cotton candy. Next time I’m using Martha’s recipe!

*Experimenting with the wee tiny metal jewelry stamps I received recently:

I love bon mots and words/phrases/sayings in general, so being able to arrange the letters and bang them into jewelry is a dreamy way to spend a few hours. Either there is a surprising dearth of information on the internet about this particular jewelry craft, or I’m just not searching the right terms. If any of you know of a good resource for tips on metal stamping, or metal stamping supplies (I think somewhere they sell something that darkens the stamped bits so you can see them better), please share! This is definitely something that requires a bit of practice (above you see my first try, and evidence of my sad spatial relations skills), but that I can see having all kinds of applications I haven’t thought of yet. I only wish my letter set was a smidge bigger than it is! And I could find some better, chubbier metal blanks.

*Swooning over the Jen Corace t-shirt and letterpress print set over on Tiny Showcase today- they just keep getting better and better!

*Admiring the lovely handmade goods for a good cause over at The Wonderland Retreat Etsy Shop. Particularly Susan’s awesome skirt kits!

*Thinking about making a skirt or two, or three…