JCasa *handmade

brightening

during the recent blur that has filled our days of late with running around, last minute schedule changes, too many doctors visits, things not getting done at home, and all around unsettledness, i have found a safe place to land.  what is it that makes me happy?

well, in addition to morning snuggles while watching the snow whirl about and big squeezy hugs throughout my days, making is making me happy, of course.  carving out a few mini sewing sessions has really helped to calm me during a very challenging week.  as i sat in the quiet last night by the fire, i let the rhythm of the handsewing take over and like a whoosh, i was back to me.  and then this morning seeing these pretties by daylight, another new day started off on the right direction.  xoxo

:

they're in the shop, if you're interested.
and if you wish to make your own, my free pattern is here.  xoxo

makings + updates

part of my december mantra - which i have fully embraced this year, having learned from the whirlwind of the past 4 decembers - involves doing things in little bits and enjoying every moment along the way.  plans are falling into place for two exciting upcoming birthdays.  and we've also been decking our halls, putting up a bit more sparkle each afternoon.

i have also been enjoying some time "making" - a very small amount each afternoon with "helpers", and then more soothing, uninterrupted and quieter time in the evenings.  sewing has always been quite meditative for me, but now it restores me, bringing such joy with completing seemingly simple projects.  words cannot express how truly wonderful it feels to SEE finished pieces again - yippee!

i've been playing with that superfun holiday fabric again, as it makes its way into a few more projects.

i'm putting together a few dare-i-say signature pieces.

and then there is the wool.  in my favorite grey.  i have been playing with the softest lightweight wool for a few days and am so excited with what is happening.  many of these goodies will be gifted to teachers and the like over the coming weeks.  and yes, in fact, some of these goodies will also be available in my shop early next week.  maybe even monday afternoon - i'll let you know when things are ready, but i won't be all "buy my stuff!" or anything.  we, my blog and i, have grown out of that.  if you're interested, cool.  if it inspires you to make something similar, cool.  and if it's not your thing, also cool.

in the meantime, enjoy your weekend making + decking + celebrating + sparkling + marshmallowing!  i am excited about my "training session" to start treatment tomorrow. fingers are crossed the side effects are mild and/or that they pass quickly.  in preparation, i picked up the Mary Poppins DVD from the library and plan on being snug under a few quilts eating popcorn and singing along with my littles.  xoxo

and so the decking begins

for a few years, i have been one of those people who had the tree up the very day after thanksgiving.  this year, i've decided the tree can wait - until the first of december.  in the meantime, we've been decorating a wee bit each day.  i had bought a bundle of michael miller funky Christmas fat quarters last year (ahem) and FINALLY got around to playing with them.  we've hung up two flag garlands - a small one above the front window and another between the dining + living rooms.  i love the double-sided thing so no matter where you are, you get a peek of holiday cheer.

as clear as memories of lawrence welk, the charleston and butterscotch candies, i could hear my nana's voice calling "waste not want not".  she was green before green was the new black.  who knew?  so i took the leftover notches cut from those flags and whipped up some mini garland and currently have a long strand of it running around an inspiration board in my wee studio.  i confess, we've never been garland/bunting people, but ever since i made the ones in the girls' room i am smitten, i tell you!

and there are even a few more projects in various stages of completion - will they make the december 1st deadline?  doubtful.  do they make me happy nonetheless?  indeed!

and guess what... i made a few extra of both the flag garlands + mini-garlands.  if it makes you happy and you'd like to deck your own halls a bit, hop on over to the shop and have a look.

happy monday, friends!  xoxo
 

pre + school crafting

with 10 minutes to spare and hair that needed a little love, the girls and i made a few pompom ponies.

one word : addictive.  translation?  i'll be adding some to the shop tomorrow - seriously, how cute are these going to be tucked inside a stocking, or as a special gift for little friends.  xoxo

highlights

sunshine + big chess + knitting + white linen way way after labor day + best friends

improving vision + sewing + saturday NPR + re-opening the shop + superfun holiday fabrics + special goodies to share very soon

sorting through all the piles + twirling with my girlys to the brandenburg concertos + going for a quiet pedicure + meal planning for the entire week + grocery shopping coming in $7 under budget + baking a last minute tart with mascarpone, apples and blackberries + talking music and basslines with the hub by a crackling fire

and the best part is taking a few moments to think back fondly on all of it once again.  i hope your weekend was filled with highlights, as well - do tell!  xoxo

field day!

it's here : make it!

i love love love the look of vintage cheerleader uniforms and field hockey kilts – in fact, i think i loved wearing my field hockey skirt to junior high on game day even more than actually playing - all those pleats take me back to a simpler time. Field Day is a great little pleated skirt with an updated take on this design, featuring inverted box pleats in contrasting fabric and constructed with French seams for a clean tailored finish. **now don't go getting all "French Seams? I can't do that!" on me - this pattern will have Frenchy becoming your new best friend. the pleats drape and twirl – and everybody loves to twirl – while the top band of the skirt gathers with an elasticized waistband to fit your girly for years and years.

Field Day is available for purchase in my shop as a PDF which is sent to you via email, so you could be making something she'll wear tomorrow (like i did, the night before pre-K)! and it is totally do-able, even for beginners, with 5 pages of easy to follow step-by-step instructions, full color images to demonstrate pattern specifics, and complete sewing instructions for sizes 2-12!

if you have ever followed one of my patterns/tutorials, you know that they are non-traditional in their format, a sort of hybrid combining what i love about both knitting and sewing patterns. there aren’t pattern pieces, per se - just directions for cutting and sewing straight lines, simplifying the process as much as possible.

and if you think this design looks familiar... you're right!

like many people, i sew and i knit.  and add to the mix that i design and write patterns... it's been a natural evolution.  i dream up something - an accessory or garment or whatever - and then i think about whether to knit it or sew it.  and when i can figure out a way to do both that really truly works and isn't just whimsical, well then i am over the moon!  Field Day is the sewn version of old skool - so for those of you who like old skool but don't knit, here you go.  and for those of you who both knit + sew... well it looks like girly has a new wardrobe coming.

i hope you + yours enjoy field day as much as we do.  xoxo

version 2.0

...because your Summer Crush will need washing.
and because everyone loves a two-fer.
and because i like you.  so there.

you guessed it, i've put together a little freebie supplement to my Summer Crush knitting pattern.  it was a matter of one-thing-leads-to-another, add in some yummy cotton and a few sunny days and there you have it.  this is a tank top variation on the original halter pattern which is available in the shop.  you will use that main pattern for the majority of the knitting, and then make changes accordingly.  the supplement is a free PDF download here (less than 1MB) - another thanks from me for all of your support and enthusiasm over the years!  xoxo

DIY :: Summer Crush

say hello to :: Summer Crush [a halter for girly]

i have a serious crush on pleats.  remember this?  i still can't get it off my mind.  knit them, sew them, turn them this way and that, i am smitten.  that's how Summer Crush came to be.  i absolutely love the idea of a piece that enters a girly's wardrobe as a dress/tunic and grows with her, evolving into a top.  it features a sideways-knit pleat, a seed stitch motif travelling up the front, adjustable straps and even an option for custom fitting the back to your little one.

ready to cast on? the pattern is available here.

this cute little number comes together quickly with just one seam and a bit of simple sewing - your girly will be running about collecting lightening bugs by week’s end. and you’ll most likely be casting on once again as you + girly are smitten with your Summer Crush. the pattern is available in my shop and i hope you enjoy it as much as i have enjoyed the creative process.  ENJOY!

hobo to go

one of the plusses of doing a big cleanout is finding hidden gems ::

a long lost "super great hobo", one of many i made a few years back and apparently neglected to list in the shop.  you see, what now serves as a playroom was once my sewing space (back in ye ole napping days).  apparently, i used the closet as storage for finished goods for the shop.  who knew.  also unearthed were my old sewing machine, a changing table (since donated), lots of freezer paper and binder clips, and a few forgotten toys that are now getting a lot of attention.  it was like happening upon a time capsule and fun for everyone.  and yes, the bag is available in the shop - at the vintage 2007 price, as well.  xoxo

♥

the shop is now stocked ::

there are also five fabric stimulus packages that get you a box full of goodness!  thank you to everyone who visited the shop to have a look and - more importantly - to all of my readers for your support, encouragement and inspiration each and every day.

and now i think it's time to make some dolls for my dolls.  xoxo