Something REALLY cool

watching people enjoying something you designed. You should have seen this one kid from Eritrea, it was priceless. I would have put up a picture of me, but I looked super scrappy. Who cares about me anyway right?

I was going through my iTunes late last night when I heard this song again--please take a listen, especially my sisters. They will know why.

I had more strange dreams last night--this time I was lost in Seattle!

Colette Spring Palette Challenge Sketches

So for my Colette challenge I am kind of wimping out--BUT only because my sewing machine is currently residing in Portland and so I can plan out but won't have a lot of sewing time. So, I am determined to make two things although I am thinking about and planning more, they may just not get sewn until later.

Oh, and I promised myself I would actually post my sketches here even though drawing is not one of my strong suits, but it something I would like to work on, plus I have a lot of free time on the bus.

So the bag on the left is my interpretation of the Amy Butler Weekender Bag. I really like the bag in general but there are some things I would like to change like some of the pockets and I'm adding a shoulder strap and some embroidery on the side. I am going to make it in camel suede.

The bag on the right I will do if I have time, if not I will have to do it later because I am planning to do it in leather as well, and I'm excited to try it out!

The bottom dress is where I am kind of cheating because I have already started this dress and am well into it. It is an Anna Sui for Vogue pattern and I am making it in a lightweight navy blue batiste with a drop waist and lots of pretty pin tucks!

I am also loving peter pan collars so if I have time I will make a coral/honeysuckle dress--if not it will have to wait for later.

I am interviewing Gabrielle from Hopeless Lingerie for Colette and although I don't need any it has inspired me to make a new swimsuit for this summer!

Quote of the day from the Greenbean (the coffee shop I work from):

"It's disgusting, but it's what you always have."

Also super awkward--these guys across from me are talking about culture is on the brink of a dramatic shift and how the coffee shop is a real community type of place, but now people come in and work on their laptops and tune out and totally gestured to me on his laptop. I have my headphones in, but I'm not actually listening to anything at the moment and looked at him right as he pointed to me. Oh, Seattle.

Someone (meaning you) Could Probably Come Up With a Poetic Explaination for This

(aka more of my crazy dreams)

Two nights ago I had a strange dream, and when I woke up and I thought about it I think part of it is re-occurring. I won't bother you with all the nonsensical details--but I end up in this house with someone else, and I learn it's a professor's house (I don't know who). The person I'm with decides to steal there car (I'm probably leaving a lot out here that I don't remember). And then this is the re-occurring part: we leave salt (like rock salt) on the professor's doorstep.

Then, last night....

I am at a family reunion at this old house (except there are all these random little kids I don't know running around) but I need to interview this designer (which I have been doing in real life), but she comes over to the house and she is this super old lady!

This lady is blind, or almost--so she has a seeing eye dog, except it's a lion. And it is wearing a pair of spectacles/a monocle. I am freaked out because the lion is growling at me. Oh, and the lion has been hurt somehow and so its back legs are in one of those wheely things you see on dogs sometimes.

Apparently they are called dog wheelchairs.

Anyway, the lion is freaky and this old lady just starts to chat away with my family while I a trying to figure out how she can possible be the designer I am supposed to interview! Then we get in an argument about Anna Karenina, which I just finished reading.

My Colette Spring Palette Challenge Palette

Okay, i spent all this time perfecting my palette on Adobe Kuler and then I can't put it on here! Anyone else know a good site for creating a color palette?

But, I chose this picture to represent my color palette {photo via deadlipskin}. I will admit--I have a hard time getting out of fall color palettes. But I really think that navy can be a great transitional color, especially since the spring here is cool and delayed.

So my color palette is: navy, camel, and a coral/honeysuckle hue.

Stay tuned for my sketches and project planning!

{I will give you a hint: I cheat!}

826 Project #2

Today we printed this book I designed for a classroom of high school students who are recent immigrants: My favorite part of the book was of course the most design oriented--the table of contents! And there isn't a big space in the middle in the real book, imagine that being the middle of the book.

Tomorrow we celebrate them and hand out the books in the classroom, should be fun!

Favorite Moment of the Day--so far

I had a great conversation with My friend Liz, who is in Uganda, over Gchat. Here are some highlights:

me:

but i blew it with him

and now I am stuck with the effeminate Asian, and the mustached creeper

Elizabeth: hahahahah

oh my gosh

oh my gosh

i want to see a movie about your life

(My live is definitely a Bridget Jones sort of affair at the moment.)

also,

Elizabeth:

and also i think i should let you know

our bed frames smell like crap

like actual crap

me: HAHAHAHAHA

Elizabeth: and it reminds me of the super junior movie

I feel obligated to tell you about the movie to which she is referring. Liz and I both enjoy the Korean boy band Super Junior {You can watch some videos here}. Well, they were in a Korean movie called "Attack on the Pin-Up Boys" that you can probably find on Youtube {ok, you can start watching here}.
It is a mystery story, about a High school where every month on the same day one of the school's "flower boys" (which means a heartthrob or pretty boy) is mysteriously attacked by getting a bag of feces thrown in his face and throughout the movie they try to discover who is behind the attacks and who will be attacked next...

Colette Spring Palette Challenge

So, you all know I am an intern for Colette patterns right? Well, Sarai, the creator posted this on the Colette blog a couple of days ago and I am so excited to join in! The basic idea is that in this 10 week challenge you pick a spring palette and then plan and execute the garments of your choosing--creating a mini spring wardrobe.{via color collective}

So this week I will be blogging about my inspiration and picking out the colors in my palette...any suggestions?

First Aid Kits

Okay, who feels like after all those fashion posts they are ready for a musical rant?

For my friends who love stars, I have two things--both side projects of Torquil Campbell. One is old, but new to me from Torque's side project with friend Chris Dumont called Memphis, their newest album is from 2006 called "A Little Place in the Wilderness" but they have a new album titled, "here comes a city" that comes out in March.

The other is NEW new, from Torque's solo project, Dead Child Stars, which just released it's new album "Cold Hands, Warm Heart" this month! It's great, and both are good options if you need more Stars in your life. You can listen or buy on the Stars website: youarestars!
Next up is the just released singles from Swedish pop duo First Aid Kit, that were produced by Jack White. I wish it were a whole album, but you can listen to "It hurts me too" and read more about them at NPR, and watch some of their older videos here. I was only going to put up the first one, but I bet you can guess why I love the second. Also, if you love Fleet Foxes you should listen to their cover of, "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song".

Merchant & Mills

Oh, and thank you Honey Kennedy, for introducing me to Merchant & Mills. I am such a sucker for this type of design. I am so tempted to buy tons of sewing supplies I don't really need. Maybe I can settle for a postcard. I know, I know, as soon as I say I won't be posting as much a post more...

The Portland Collection

If you really think about it this post fits in perfectly with my last. Like I said, just as a season begins to wind down I become obsessed with that seasons clothes instead of thoughtfully planning for the season ahead.

Cue today.

Today I am going to talk about two things I have gushed about before, (specifically here, here, and here).but are now combining forces this upcoming fall: Church & State AND Pendleton wool! If I need to tell you I'm excited you must have just tuned in/never met me. Oh, and check the blanket holders. And excellent bags, I am in love with the top below.You can see more pictures from the look book here and here. I think the styling on all of these is gorgeous and I would expect nothing less. I better start saving for next fall!

Clog-omania

So, I probably won't be blogging as much for the next little while since I have not interwebs at my house at the moment. I am excited for spring, and have been thinking about things I want to sew, I have been thinking about how I always want things when it is either in the middle/end or when they are out of season. And now, in the midst of my spring thinking--I have full-blown clog fever. and I'm not talking about Danskos.

Norman Mailer

Today I feel like Norman Mailer from that one episode of Gilmore Girls when he hangs out in The Dragonfly and only drinks iced tea.

Since 826 is undergoing a remodel, we are all working out of a coffee shop but I feel bad because i hang out here everyday and never buy anything. I feel even more like I am in an episode of Gilmore Girls because the volunteer I worked with this morning looked a lot like Jess! Yes!

How I am going to change up my wardrobe for cheap.

I hardly every buy magazines. Don't get me wrong--I love them, but I usually sit down in a bookstore once a month and read all the magazines I want, and then I am set. But I was very tempted to buy this month's Lucky magazine purely out of principle because of this genius article:

I especially love the idea of dying leather. Although dying your clothes is time intensive, the dyes cost around $2 and can completely rejuvenate you clothing. I am now kicking myself that I didn't buy those pants that were completely perfect except for the color!

I'm not at home with all my clothes, but first thing when I get back I am going through my clothes and picking out things to be dyed!

Devil in the Details

Is it wrong to steal from the D.I truck? Because earlier this week when I dropped of a ton of stuff for my mother I took two old picture frames. I think that's probably ok, but it may be a problem that I would like to go back and scavenge for more.

I thought I would escape this winter without getting a cold, but here I am with a stuffy nose and no kleenex with moisturizer! It also means that I am going back to Seattle tomorrow and have not finished the dress I am making. I am too lazy to bring my sewing machine and everything with me, but it's probably for the best since the dress is batiste and probably too light for the winter I am making this Anna Sui for Vogue dress:

Some Gifts I Gave This Christmas

I designed this coupon for my dad (it got cut off when I was scanning it, sorry!):

And made felted hats for all my sisters:

Now I am all hyped up on making things. I have been working on a dress all day, or at least the muslin-maybe I will show you pictures of that tomorrow!