The best vanilla cupcake ever.

I like the classics. It's true. Chocolate chip cookies and vanilla cupcakes make me oh-so-happy. Have you made anything with whole vanilla beans? I had not...before now.

Easter day I wanted to bake, and I admit- I am completely disenchanted by easter bunnies and the general holiday festivities that take place during this time of year. Sure, it's all really fun. When I was a kid, my mom would make me a homemade Easter dress and I loved running around in it, gathering up candies and eggs. It might just be the actual bunny, but I believe that we've all forgotten what Easter is really celebrating. Plus giant talking bunnies are really creepy. Anyway, these cupcakes have been on my to-bake list for a while and it seemed like no better time. They have lots of vanilla extract, vanilla seeds scraped from a bean, and they're fluffy and moist and everything that you'd want in a cake.  The chocolate buttercream is a perfect pairing. True to it's name, this buttercream is creeeeeamy. This recipe is seriously delicious. Also, they make for a pretty awesome breakfast.

By the way, yes that cup is a Prince Charles and Princess Diana cup from after they were married. I couldn't help myself- I got it at a thrift store a couple of years back for all it's silly kitschy-ness.  Seemed appropriate that day considering the upcoming royal wedding. :)

Betty's Sheath

I finally had the chance to get some sewing done last week, and it was completely refreshing. I used a modern pattern, McCall's 5845, which I'd forgotten that I had and was nearly identical to the original dress.

 I did have some fitting issues due to the fact that, like most women, my hips are nearly three sizes larger than my bust. In other words, I'm a classic pear shape. Even though I was able to cut the top and bottom pieces in each size, it was still quite tricky.  I also added two inches to the hem and a tie to the back. I could have added a couple more inches for a nicer bow, but I was pleased overall.

The fabric that I used was from Sosovintage, and yet again, a vintage sheet. The pattern did call for lining the entire dress, but in anticipation to finish (and a lack of fabric), I only lined the top. The fabric is pretty light, so I'll need to wear a slip when I wear it out. Another added detail that I love- a vintage metal zipper was used for that extra retro touch.

Get yourself a mama tattoo- card, of course.

NEW!!

This card took me a bit to get the cursive lettering how I liked it, but I loved how it came out. I also made some new envelopes, modeled after retro airmail envelopes. Happy Saturday!

Embroidered Book Covers. Whaaa?

I just discovered these amazing embroidered book covers. Created for a new series, the Penguin Threads Deluxe Classics, the books are due to be released sometime in October, this year. The artist, Jillian Tamaki, is an illustrator and cartoonist, and her portfolio is quite extensive. From what I read, embroidery is a rather new venture for her. You can read more about the process and opportunity on her blog. So cool!

 

 

Lace & Thimble on Etsy!

Yay! I finally put up a couple of my hand-stitched card designs on Etsy. I have had a hard time will all of this- mostly, I am too much of a perfectionist to be satisfied with anything that I make. I have been steadily working on this shop for about two months now, and it feels good to have some of my work listed. I have about five other cards that I'm super excited to share...but I haven't finished and photographed. Once I get them up, I'm going to have a "Grand Opening" special. Hope that everyone is having an awesome Saturday!

Spring! Summer!

Oh my, it has been far too long since I have posted anything here. I have some rather exciting news, however, as I have been working on the opening of my very own Etsy shop. More to come about that later this week...but for now, I'd rather talk about dresses :)

It's so great to watch a city bloom in color during the spring. Although it isn't entirely evident here in Boulder, CO, I am anticipating what is to come...daydreaming of pretty cotton dresses and tight-less legs. I have an assortment of prints in my sewing stash, and a large majority of florals. I am always attracted to these wonderfully assorted vintage floral sheets, and I somehow always convince myself that I don't have any like this one. Sheesh.

Sometime last winter, I purchased this fabric from sosovintage with the excitement of making a copycat Betty Draper dress. 

I loved the dress for so many reasons- besides the bold Impressionistic print,  the dress has this nice cutout in the back, followed by a fantastically long tie. 

Another dress that I have been anticipating on the machine is another reproduction, seen and sold on Etsy-

I love shift dresses for the summer, but a yellow shift with daisy applique is especially sweet.

I also bought some sea foam colored fabric to make my early mentioned Audrey dress. So many dresses and so little time, it seems!