Nordic Inspired, American Made

 Nordic Inspired, American Made is an exhibit that is currently going on until January 11, 2015 at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis in the kitchen of the early 1900 Turnblad mansion. Nordic Ware invented the bundt pan in 1950, you can visit their factory store in St Louis Park. Enjoy this little photo tour.

Do you own a bundt pan? I have used my bundt pan many times, you can see here, here, and here.

Holiday 14 Ideas House

 {This is not my house}  

Welcome to a little photo tour of the Bachman's Holiday 14 Ideas House.

Are you interested in 'visiting' some of the previous Ideas Houses? If so, these are just a click away: Fall 14, Spring 14, Holiday 13, Fall 13, Spring 13, Holiday 12, Fall 12, Spring 12, Holiday 11, Summer 11, Spring 11, Holiday 10, Summer 10, and Spring 10.
 

 In the front porch, a Scandinavian theme. Red vintage cage as shelving unit.

 Burlap tablecloth and scarves used as chair tiebacks.

 In the living room, vintage door as wall art.

 Picket fence layered with light-up PEACE sign.

 In the sunroom, pallet trees decorated with ornaments.

 In the dining room, pillow wrap layered with fabric as chair decoration.

 Large school room chalkboard used as wall art.

 In the kitchen, vintage cabinet as kitchen island.

 Ladder as kitchen utensil organization.

 In the game room, lampshade made from playing cards.

Game table painted with chalkboard paint, chair covers made from Monopoly dishtowels.

 Scrabble tile wall art made from square wood pieces.

 In the master bedroom, faux animal hide rug as tree skirt.

 Birch pole hung over bed accented with greens and holiday ornaments.

 Vases decorated with wooden ornaments.

 In the guest bedroom, throw blanket as tree skirt.

 Vintage bed frame.

 In the girls bedroom, "E" made from pieces of sweater and stitched together with yarn.

 Christmas tree made from pieces of sweater and stitched together with yarn.

 Stacked sofa tables stacked as shelving unit, cosmetic suitcase as a DVD holder.

  I'll leave you with my favorite photo.

What was your favorite part?

PS I hope you get a chance to visit this Holiday 2014 Ideas House (there are so many more ideas to see than are in these photos) it is open November 6 - December 14, 2014. The Spring 2015 Ideas House is planned for March 19 - April 12 2015.

STYLO no. 3 Grey Zone

Photo (and graphic added) by Stacy

Yesterday I shared my Peaches and Cream look for STYLO issue three. Now today I’ve got my Grey Zone look to share. Again, just like for the Peaches and Cream photos, all of the Grey Zone photos featured in STYLO were taken by my friend Stacy ~ thank you Stacy!

This whole outfit came together because I was really inspired by the black and white pins found in the STYLO no.3 Mood Board. Black and white can be so classic, classy, and chic. So this is my little Diane Keaton look. Or maybe it could be Mary Tyler Moore since the photos were taken in downtown Minneapolis. I love the contrast going on here, black and white, masculine and feminine. Anyway, just something different for STYLO and maybe something a little different from what I usually make… maybe some people are surprised I didn’t sew a dress!

Here are the details about my Grey Zone look...

Sis Boom Ethan Shirt 
Fabric: white cotton, from SR Harris
Notions: white Dill buttons, from Michael Levine
Size: 6
I’ve already used this pattern a couple of times and it’s a really good button shirt pattern because it has a collar with a separate collar stand. For this white shirt I eliminated the front patch pocket.

Oliver + S Art Museum Trousers
Fabrics:
black wool with white dots, from SR Harris
lining: black and white graphic print cotton, Night and Day designed by Kim Schaefer for Andover Fabrics, from Michael Levine
Notions: 
black Dill buttons, from SR Harris
white zipper, from SR Harris
Size: 5 with size 6 length
This was the fourth time I’ve used this pattern, it’s my favorite pants pattern. I used this zipper fly tutorial and this was only my second zipper fly! On these pants I eliminated the belt loops. I absolutely love this black wool! I need to go back to the store to buy some more because I would love to sew myself a pair of pants with this fabric.

Oliver + S Forest Path Cape
Fabrics: 
black wool coating, from SR Harris
lining: black and white graphic print cotton, North Star “GRAPHYX” designed by Mark Hordyszynski for Micheal Miller, from Michael Levine
Notions: black Dill buttons, from SR Harris
Size: 6
I love this cape! It has such a nice shape, great style, and comes together so nicely. I would love to sew myself one and lucky for me, there is a women’s version of the pattern. And how perfect is the name of the lining print ‘North Star’ since I live in Minnesota where the State Motto is “L’Etoile du Nord” which is french for “The Star of the North” and the most common nickname for Minnesota is “The North Star State."

Peaches and Peanuts The Tie 
Fabric: black and white graphic satin, from SR Harris
Size: Child S/M
This is the first tie I ever made! It was such a fun sewing project and I would never hesitate in the future to sew another tie using this pattern. A tie can really add something unique (to an outfit) whether it’s a print or a color. I love how in the first photo the lines on the tie echo the lines in the window of the building in the background.

I did bring my camera along to the photo shoot and I got exactly one photo and this is it because right after I snapped this shot my girl went running off! (The wind was gusty at the top of these stairs ~ look at her hair!) She was particularly more difficult to photograph during this photo shoot because she was running around all over the place. Stacy performed miracles to capture a few photos of her! That being said I’m sure you can understand why I’m very grateful to own a dress form :)

You must go check out the details about the Grey Zone look that Stacy made for her daughter.

Thanks to Michael Levine for providing some of the materials for this look. Use the coupon code 'Stylo10', which is good for 10% off your entire purchase.

Thanks for stopping by. I just love sewing and it’s a joy to share what I create. One of the things I love so much about STYLO is that it brings the online sewing community together. Thank you STYLO!

STYLO no. 3 Peaches and Cream

Photo (and graphic added) by Stacy

The one and only STYLO has released it’s third issue and it’s their ‘Golden’ edition. STYLO is the fashion forward sewing e-magazine for kids. It’s beautifully put together by the Editors in Chief Celina and Jess. For me the huge thing is that it shows the whole world that sewing children’s garments can be fashionable and fun!

All 217 pages of this issue are packed full of things to inspire you to create and I think it’s going to take me a couple of days to actually read through the whole thing!

Back in August when preparation started for issue three I grabbed by sewing friend Stacy as soon as possible to help me out. She not only has wicked sewing skills, but also amazing photography and photo editing skills. I definitely needed help with the photography in order to be up to par with STYLO! Stacy took all the photos that you see in STYLO for our Peaches and Cream and Grey Zone looks. (On page 4 where it lists all the contributors, that photo was actually Stacy’s photo even though it says it was by me and her). But not only that she also did all the photo editing, styling (she brought all of the props/accessories, the fans, the umbrellas, the sun glasses; she even braided my girl’s hair for the Peaches and Cream look!), and she pretty much ran all of the photo shoots. It was such a fun project, with the all the ideas and planning, sewing pattern and fabric advice, fabric shopping we did together, and then the photo shoots at a couple of fun locations.

Take a look at the STYLO no.3 Mood Board… fun right? The sequins, metallic items, and the pinks were inspiring and with using that inspiration this is my Peaches and Cream look that came to completion.

 Here are all the details about my Peaches and Cream look...

Heidi and Finn Ballet Sweater
Fabric: pink rayon knit, from SR Harris
Size: 6
This was the first time I ever used a walking foot (I recently bought a new sewing machine and it came with a walking foot) and look forward to using it again. Such a cute ballet wrap that I will for sure make again.

Papillon et Mandarine Leon shorts
Fabric: beige wool, from SR Harris
Trim: copper sequin trim, from SR Harris
Notions: fabric covered buttons
Size: 6
I'm a huge fan of these bloomer style shorts with all those adorable buttons. I made a previous pair that you can see here.

Oliver + S Playtime Tunic
Fabric: rose and gold brocade, from Michael Levine
Notions: awabi shell buttons, from Michael Levine
Size: 5
Modifications: I made it sleeveless, fully lined the bodice, eliminated the pockets, and the skirt is one long rectangle selvage to selvage. I also topstitched all around the armholes, neckline, and back bodice.

 I did bring my camera to the photo shoot and did manage to take a few photos including this one. But as you can see Stacy's photos turned out so much better ~ thank goodness she took the photos! By the way you must go check out all the details about the Peaches and Cream look that Stacy created for her daughter.

Thanks to Michael Levine for providing some of the materials for this look. Use the coupon code 'Stylo10', which is good for 10% off your entire purchase.

Mulberry Pullover Fleece Hoodie

 I finished my third and last Kids Clothes Week garment! This is the Mulberry Tunic by Olga of Kid Approved. I made it into a pullover fleece hoodie without a closure. It's super soft and cozy and easy to get on and off. I'm so pleased with how quickly and nicely this came together.

 I folded over the front bodice pieces too much, so the front bodice pieces don't overlap as much as they are suppose to. This also means that the hood came right up to the edge of the front bodice pieces. This was totally my mistake and no fault with the pattern/instructions. But I still really like how it turned out!

Project details:

Pattern: Willow & Co. Mulberry Tunic

Size: 6

Fabrics: neon pink fleece, gray cotton for bias tape on hoodie/bodice seam

Modifications: no topstitching, no patch pocket, no buttons/snaps

 Today is the last day of Kids Clothes Week and I'm so happy I met my goal of finishing these three items.