Garden Updates

Some photos I took a few days ago before the current heat wave.  This week I have been doing evening garden checks, to see how the plants are surviving the hot temperatures.  By the time evening hits, my chard has wilted to the ground!  The plants eventually revive, but it does take a couple hours.  

Eggplant Ichiban

Swiss Chard Bright Lights

Pepper plants are such fruitful producers here, so much that in the past we have ended up throwing many of them away.  This is one garden product that's best in small amounts!  I pickled some of the Serrano peppers last week, using David Leibovitz's recipe.  A brief word of warning though: vinegar really intensifies peppers' heat.  I had previously added a whole chopped serrano to a burrito, and hardly noticed it.  Then I decided that since they weren't terribly spicy, I could probably eat a pepper straight from the day old brine.  Big mistake!  After part of one pepper my mouth was on fire, and it took about an hour to knock down the sizzle.  If you pickle your peppers, use them carefully :)

Pickled Serrano Peppers

Short Style

Let me begin by saying that I do not usually wear shorts.  You might think my hesitance is in part due to my inability to achieve the adequate amount of summer tanned-skin.  In truth this is my least concern when in comes to bearing my naked gams in short pants. They leave more of my legs bare than I am comfortable exposing, allowing my skin to stick to bus seats and diner booths.  They also expose my lower half to the elements; Not always a good idea as I get cold easily-- which explains why I enjoy stepping into a sun warmed car after prolonged periods of time in air conditioning.

Despite my reservations on shorts, I do own two pairs of of pleat-front, cuffed shorts.  They fit my body type (pear/dewdrop) and style (more Audrey Hepburn than Brigitte Bardot) better than any old denim cutoffs.  

Pullover: Yoon

Shorts: Mossimo 

Loafers: MTNG

Lately I've been planning a summer shorts wardrobe update.  There are so many cute styles to try.  Here are my most recent favorites-- please follow the links for fabulous sources of inspiration!

1. Scalloped shorts, 2. Popomomo shorts, 3. Summer white - lace shorts, 4. Marc by Marc Jacobs ombre shorts

I hope you're keeping cool!  Here it's almost too hot to sew, but I still have some projects in the works, and one recent FO from the Drape Drape books that I can't wait to share... 

Happy sewing :)

Cheerful Summer Skirt

I am excited to share my most recent and most favorite project-- a hot pink bow skirt!  The fabric is a Marc Jacobs print from Fabric Mart.   Once spied, I was instantly smitten with the fabric (and I must not have been the only one, as it sold out fast!).  I made this same skirt two years ago, using a rust colored stretch poplin.  You can read about that version here.

The skirt has pockets, a nipped in waist, and it's cheerful color makes me smile each time I wear it.  This, ladies and gentlemen, is why I sew--sometimes the pieces all come together perfectly, and the result is pure bliss!  


Warm wishes, and happy sewing :)

I'm still here!

I was preparing a couple new blog posts for this week and realized that I never shared pictures of my entries for the Vintage Modern Challenge.  How could it have already been three months ago?!!  I made a lace shift dress and a pleated skirt for the challenge, both with contrast piping.  Have a look:  

I will admit, while they are both nice pieces, neither skirt nor dress has made it into my weekly rotation of favorite outfits.  Maybe this will help me learn my lesson about participating in contests.  I really do get the most out of my sewing when I develop the entire idea, not just the choice of fabric and design elements.  


Anyhow, definitely time to clean out my wardrobe!  I'd just like to figure out how to find new homes for some of my hand made clothes.  It's just so hard to imagine giving them away to Goodwill, after all the long hours put in.  How do you come to terms with purging lovingly made clothes from your closet?  Please share your thoughts, and happy sewing :)