Love in the Summer Sundress

Love in the Summer with
Namaste Bag and Circular Knitting Cast

The first day of summer has come and gone and it's time to think about warmer summer breezes and days at the beach! Thanks to a student of mine, I was turned on to a great little dress that's begging to be sewn...so of course I couldn't resist and now I'm teaching a class in it this month at The Grove.

It's a free download pattern from SewStylish.com. Granted you have to piece together the printed sheets...but they're clearly labeled and easy to follow. Just clear your living room floor so you'll have lots of room to spread out! It comes in a multiple of sizes and would look good on most body's since it's an empire waist and has a forgiving skirt shape.

I made it in two fabrics from Alexander Henry called Catlin Blooms and Catlin Stripe and the colors look great with the Namaste bag in the picture. Both fabrics and the bag are available at The Grove.

The pattern was originally printed in Twinkle Sews, along with a number of other creative and fun patterns. The book provides the patterns, so it's worth the purchase! The only challenge I had in making the dress was figuring out the bra pieces, but once that was done, the rest fell in place.

Join me this month if you're in town or get the pattern and sew this great little dress!

1 month later

Remember the babies we planted?

Well, the tomato, zucchini, cucumbers, beans, and melons are making a statement in our backyard! The volunteer tomato plant is at least 5' wide and overshadowing the little garlics in one of the beds, but at the same time it's looking out for all its' little sister plants.




You can see the "mama" plant behind all the babies that are now growing taller and taller.



The cucumbers are vineing up by sending out little curlie ques trying to find something to latch onto...so we surrounded them with a portable doggie fence and gave them a piece of wood to reach up for!
One of the bean plants is still only 5" tall, but its' already sent out a few beans!

I think we're going have more tomatoes than we know what to do with...
anyone have a good marinara recipe?

Alumni Success!

One of the most rewarding things about being in the College biz is being able to follow my grads into their careers and track their success! Ok...I guess you see what's coming - yes, I'm going to brag!

About 2 years ago my College held a Project Fashion contest based on the ever popular "Project Runway" TV reality show. Contestants came from across the US to participate and compete for college scholarships. Ziba Khatibi was actually from our own backyard and had always wanted to design, which was apparent with her winning design of the day!

Because Ziba was able to translate the trends presented by Charlotte Russe's forecasting presentation, her winning design was put into production by Charlotte Russe, and sold in their stores. She was featured with signage and display in their Fashion Valley Store window!


Well....it's now many years later and Ziba has launched her own website with her unique vision apparent in trendy, edgy jewelry. It appeals to all markets with it's use of different media and a definite feminine flair! Check out her website www.zibakhatibi.com for more great looks!

She was also featured this year in 944 magazine, http://www.944.com/articles/ziba-khatibi-raw-jewelry/

Thanks for letting me brag!

Growing all things good!

Last week we finally took our little seedlings from the grow light to sunshine! They were ready to meet the real world of 12 hours of light on and off.

Last year we built 5 raised beds in our back yard and had a bounty of tomatoes and zucchini. So this year we decided to expand our options and added beans, melons, cucumbers, onions, and peppers!

One of last year's tomato plants threw off seeds and re-sprouted by herself "outside" the raised bed. It's huge...as you can see behind Richard, who is ready to plant with spoon in hand and babies looking eager for a new home!




Of course they had to be planted EARLY in the morning, according to my dh who did a lot of surfing on the subject...so out we were in the garden with the morning light!




Did I say so early that make-up and brushed hair had to wait?

I think we've finally got the watering puzzle down and now they are really starting to grow...will keep you posted along the way.