Megan Whitlock presents flapper chic for "Shabby Apple Dresses" (www.shabbyapple.com). This design was inspired by the flapper dresses in the 20's. I like to take busy things and simplify them. The color palette was chosen when I saw a little girl in a blue dress holding a pink pig. I hope that anyone who wears this dress chooses pink as their accessory color. The dress on the left would be made out of a matte polyester satin. On the shoulder seam and down the center of the sleeve I have embellished it with a silvery, beaded trim to add richness. The same design on the right is an example of how the dress could have a sheer overlay with a bold print with a little bit of lace sticking out the bottom. A small detail to the design would be to fray the edges to give the impression of a fringe look, a shout-out to the flapper fringe.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
“Design for Shabby Apple”
Megan Whitlock presents flapper chic for "Shabby Apple Dresses" (www.shabbyapple.com). This design was inspired by the flapper dresses in the 20's. I like to take busy things and simplify them. The color palette was chosen when I saw a little girl in a blue dress holding a pink pig. I hope that anyone who wears this dress chooses pink as their accessory color. The dress on the left would be made out of a matte polyester satin. On the shoulder seam and down the center of the sleeve I have embellished it with a silvery, beaded trim to add richness. The same design on the right is an example of how the dress could have a sheer overlay with a bold print with a little bit of lace sticking out the bottom. A small detail to the design would be to fray the edges to give the impression of a fringe look, a shout-out to the flapper fringe.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Sew-tacular!
I have been looking at Pinterest and the Cotton&Curls blog and it just made me rush to D.I. Which then made me get rid of some stuff. Anyways, I went in to get a large floral print something and came out with more stripes (counted up to 8 striped shirts already in my drawers/closet, tsk tsk.) Here is the before (I was already halfway through pinning when i remembered to take a before pic.
and now the after (photography by Lindsey-pie)
I love these shoes (straight from Italy) and the sand on the bottom. xoxo roma
So then I was going through stuff and you know what I found? Fabric. Specific fabric for Lindsey. Flashback to 2005 Christmas. I dragged Lindsey to the fabric section and had her pick out some fabric so that I could make her a purse. 6 years later I am pulling it out of a plastic bag. I got a FANTASTIC blue purse from D.I.
So I copied the pattern and finally made Lindsey's purse. I hope she likes it. I might have gotten a little carried away with the frill.
This is a tiny braided strap just for fun. I guess she can take off one strap or another if she wants to.
Thanks for attending this episode of SEW-tacular. Hope you enjoyed it!
and now the after (photography by Lindsey-pie)
I love these shoes (straight from Italy) and the sand on the bottom. xoxo roma
So I copied the pattern and finally made Lindsey's purse. I hope she likes it. I might have gotten a little carried away with the frill.
This is a tiny braided strap just for fun. I guess she can take off one strap or another if she wants to.
Thanks for attending this episode of SEW-tacular. Hope you enjoyed it!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
John Donne said:
Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Rupert, ID
On the third leg of my journey home (LA to ID) I rode with an all time city girl. She is a world traveller and one of the most adventurist spirits. She knows Rupert, ID well and talked about the things she wanted to see there. Aguila's tacos and the Rupert Square were among the most important. She was describing Rupert to her family and talked about how it was the smallest type of town.
I started to defend my little home by saying things like "It isn't how they show small towns in the movies. The judge, the sheriff, and the richest man in town aren't all the same people. People don't know everybody's business ALL the time. And we use WIFI internet. It doesn't take 5 days to send an email or fix a car."
After debating whether it is best to raise a family in the country or the city and enjoying the differences we had quite an amazing trip and I had a familiar encounter with home.
We were just about to exit "town" and get on the main road to get to my house. My friend was speeding up in the lonely 25 mph zone. I glanced over and just as I was about to say "You might want to slow down" we saw the daunting flashing lights of blue and red.
WE stop. He stops. The usual expressions of panic filled the car. We saw a dark figure get out. Strangely, he chose to come to the passenger side. I rolled down my window and looked up into the face of the man who held my friend's fate and said,
"Hi Brother Dudley." This man has been known to stand up in church and declare that no matter who he went to church with he would still give them a ticket. He has always been a friendly guy and with a little prodding he started telling me all about his kids, "Well you know Mike don'tya?" No, but I nodded. I delighted in the new grandbaby. I told him about Italy. With the nicest exchange of words he said "Well, I am just going to give you a warning this time. Good to have you home." As he walked away I said "See you in church tomorrow!"
In the following days I gloried in walking around the fields and ditchbanks. I could see nothing but country for miles, that settled so softly in the twilight. I could smell the fresh cut hay . . . and the skunks. I was talking on the phone one night and did a loop around my house. I was just about to turn to go back when I looked up and saw a skunk 8 feet away from me. We both turned from each other and started sprinting. My dad, still on the phone with me, laughed at the encounter. I walked around my Aunt's house to avoid the skunky dwelling. I had almost reached my driveway when I saw it again! I did a weird curve to avoid it and sprinted to my house.
Flash forward a few weeks and imagine the square filled with everyone and sometimes their dogs. We had a five-day patriotic festival for the 4th of July. We had swing bands, blue-grass bands, country bands, and other types on our gazebo. Each night as I walked around and saw families reuinited for the most spectacular Rupert holiday I reflected on my experiences and thought how very wrong I was to say Rupert wasn't THAT small. In a matter of weeks I ended a conversation with a policeman with "see you in church", I escaped a skunk, I took 2 mile walks without seeing a soul, and I went to the biggest event of the year (came out with a tamale and fresh fries--a mark of the community I guess). It just doesn't get any more small town than that.
I started to defend my little home by saying things like "It isn't how they show small towns in the movies. The judge, the sheriff, and the richest man in town aren't all the same people. People don't know everybody's business ALL the time. And we use WIFI internet. It doesn't take 5 days to send an email or fix a car."
After debating whether it is best to raise a family in the country or the city and enjoying the differences we had quite an amazing trip and I had a familiar encounter with home.
We were just about to exit "town" and get on the main road to get to my house. My friend was speeding up in the lonely 25 mph zone. I glanced over and just as I was about to say "You might want to slow down" we saw the daunting flashing lights of blue and red.
WE stop. He stops. The usual expressions of panic filled the car. We saw a dark figure get out. Strangely, he chose to come to the passenger side. I rolled down my window and looked up into the face of the man who held my friend's fate and said,
"Hi Brother Dudley." This man has been known to stand up in church and declare that no matter who he went to church with he would still give them a ticket. He has always been a friendly guy and with a little prodding he started telling me all about his kids, "Well you know Mike don'tya?" No, but I nodded. I delighted in the new grandbaby. I told him about Italy. With the nicest exchange of words he said "Well, I am just going to give you a warning this time. Good to have you home." As he walked away I said "See you in church tomorrow!"
In the following days I gloried in walking around the fields and ditchbanks. I could see nothing but country for miles, that settled so softly in the twilight. I could smell the fresh cut hay . . . and the skunks. I was talking on the phone one night and did a loop around my house. I was just about to turn to go back when I looked up and saw a skunk 8 feet away from me. We both turned from each other and started sprinting. My dad, still on the phone with me, laughed at the encounter. I walked around my Aunt's house to avoid the skunky dwelling. I had almost reached my driveway when I saw it again! I did a weird curve to avoid it and sprinted to my house.
Flash forward a few weeks and imagine the square filled with everyone and sometimes their dogs. We had a five-day patriotic festival for the 4th of July. We had swing bands, blue-grass bands, country bands, and other types on our gazebo. Each night as I walked around and saw families reuinited for the most spectacular Rupert holiday I reflected on my experiences and thought how very wrong I was to say Rupert wasn't THAT small. In a matter of weeks I ended a conversation with a policeman with "see you in church", I escaped a skunk, I took 2 mile walks without seeing a soul, and I went to the biggest event of the year (came out with a tamale and fresh fries--a mark of the community I guess). It just doesn't get any more small town than that.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
HP
Last night I had a historic moment. As I was in Italy at the time of this movie release, I refused to watch it on megavideo or in Italian. I have waited and waited. Luckily, my best friend's mom has a huge movie center and they indulged me. Lindsey, Trevor, and I watched it last night. Epic.
I had a Harry Potter breakdown the other day, you know, sad about it being over. I am so glad the movies have been salvaged so that the end will be a good end, even though it does keep the wounds open. I will walk the ends of the earth and know that one person will always understand and it helps me get through it all. The good news is that my best friend is married to said person so it is hard to feel like a third wheel. Love you Linsvor.
I had a Harry Potter breakdown the other day, you know, sad about it being over. I am so glad the movies have been salvaged so that the end will be a good end, even though it does keep the wounds open. I will walk the ends of the earth and know that one person will always understand and it helps me get through it all. The good news is that my best friend is married to said person so it is hard to feel like a third wheel. Love you Linsvor.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Home at Last
Chillin at the airport.I did arrange a ride. I asked her and she said yes. The Relief Society President of Rome 1st ward said she would call me for better details. That was Sunday. Monday and Tuesday flew so outrageously fast that it was midnight before I realized that my ride hadn't called. I was out of credit on my phone (and I didn't have her phone number) but she had said she would try to be there at 8 a.m. to give me a ride to the airport, but she would call if the traffic was bad. I told her I could meet her at the metro stop. So I was waiting down there and tried to find the most apparent spot for me to stand. 8. 8:10. 8:15. 8:20. At 8:30 I knew I had to leave. So I took the metro (the thing I was trying to avoid by getting a ride). I made it up all the escalators, all 5 of them, with my bags. I managed to attract this sketchy man who helped me with my bags and gave me a ticket, and then kept a euro for "helping me with my bags" even though I told him no. Anyways, I got on the train and got to the airport right at the perfect time. I never received a phone call from the lady which means she completely forgot. I was mean for a moment and hoped that she showed up at my place a different day and got frustrated trying to find me.
Then I flew for 9 hours. Then I went through customs and re-entered the United States through New York. Then I bought a 5 dollar bottle of juice, and a book (Little Bee) and called my mom. Then I sat for 20 minutes and then got on another 6 hour flight. I met up with my amazing friend Cami (oddly enough she has spent time in Rupert, but I met her in Rome) and we went to the most welcoming place of American flavors: IN N OUT. Cheeseburger. Animal Style fries. CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE.
Finally, after 30+ hours of being awake, I went to sleep and woke up 5 hours later. Then we went out and saw L.A. We ate amazing hotdogs wrapped in bacon with grilled veggies and avacado on top. .
I heard her speak Chinese. We saw a man roller blading and playing the guitar and singing and being homeless, simultaneously. We walked along Venice Beach (I know, Italy is everywhere) and checked out a cute vintage store. Then we went home and ate Chronic Taco and went to sleep to prepare for the long journeyThe next day we drove to SLC where I saw this lady:
The next day I went with Anna and Wow to temple square and saw a girl, who is now a missionary there, that I knew from Torino. She is so beautiful and friendly. She said my Italian sounded much less American, which thrilled me. I forgot to get a pic even though my camera was in my bag.
After spending the entire day trying to convince my niece to come out, I realized it wasn't meant to be so I left for Rupert. I got in around 10:30 last night and went to church this morning. Everyone says I lost weight! That is always nice to hear. So I had some wonderful moments of first encounters and have been spending a wonderful time with my family! I don't know what is next, but I am just going to take a little bit of time to get settled back. I hope with all of my heart to see Linsvor and maybe Shanna tomorrow and all of my local friends and cousins for my party tomorrow. I am so happy to be home at last!
Even the simplest sunsets in Idaho are better than the rest of the world.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The Final Post (written though not posted) from Italy
Arrividerci e Grazie
One week ago, the days were dragging. All I could think about was the steps ahead. I had classes to finish, things to buy, piazzas to say goodbye to. With all of this I still felt like I couldn't fill my days. Then Sunday night came and I don't think I have truly rested since.
All attempts to "wrap up" the feelings I have for Italy would only be futile. But I must write a small note to the country.
Quanto sei bella
Twice a day I raise my fists to the sky and cry out "Italy!"
Once for hate.
Metro strikes.
Shops closing in the middle of the day.
The stupid basket at the grocery store with the broken wheel.
The people who never let me off of the bus before they try to enter.
TERMINI GRRRR
D@$* Cobblestones that break my shoes, my luggage, and my pride as I trip step by step.
Tourists. Get out of my way.
Take one look at this schedule for the Colosseum to realize how inefficient and impossible Italians make everything:
Once for love.
Cioccolato Caldo
24-hour bakery
Fountains
Piazza Navona
Pantheon
Olive oil and sundried tomatoes
Mozzarella di Bufala
Let's walk by the colosseum today.
Piazza del Popolo
Villa Pamphili
and last but not least
GELATO
I could go on forever, but one thing I have learned is that things must come to a close. We have to live our lives so that when they do, it is just the right time. And for me, it is.
Ali asked me a number of questions about my time here. A few answers follow:
Florence vs. Rome= Rome
Favorite spot in Rome= Villa Pamphili and the Pantheon in the evening
Greatest lesson learned= All we have are our choices. They become our history. There is no existence, in heaven or earth, of an alternate reality. There is no "what if". Our choices determine our destiny.
My heart is full of gratitude and love and cholesterol from all the oil, among other things. Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?
I have cried some tears. I have hugged Alison almost a thousand times. I have whispered goodbyes to passing moments and places, and to the most amazing friends. It has been an incredible journey.
Italia; Arrividerci e grazie. Ti volgio bene.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)