New dress design; Cute little polo frock needs help

I have been trying to come up with a dress design and here is an almost successful one. It is all vintage knit. I had never tried to serge past a zipper and I probably never will again...Notice the janked up back seam The pattern is way to small at this point, but I think am on to something totally wearable. I really adore the top fabric it is a crazy 60's or 70's knit with polo(?)equipment on it.

He is back!!!! Jason Boland given the ok to start singing!!!!

"Since being told nearly four months ago that he had what could be a career ending injury to one of his vocal cords, and that all touring, speaking and voice related activity was to be suspended immediately until further notice, Jason Boland has been anxiously waiting to get back to what he does best, performing live! Today he announces new tour dates and the second single from Comal County Blue."JBS website

NOV. 27 - Farmer's Market, Oklahoma City, OK

NOV. 28 - Cain's Ballroom, Tulsa, OK

DEC. 5 - Firehouse Saloon, Houston, TX

DEC. 6 - Gruene Hall, Gruene, TX

VIEW ALL DATES

(Look!! the Gruene Hall date is just in time for some lucky lady's BDAy!!!!!)

birthday week in review, a whole lot of pictures

We had a terrific week Dada turned 30(practicing his Popeye look) And burger turned 2. I tried to stay off the blog a little so I have quite a few photos to share.
Making thank you "pumpkin"cardsI took this photo to make Dada's b-day card




Pretty basil in the back yard has gone to seed: time to make pestoAlso some fancy gifts to show you from my gal pal blue mama . She made Burger this adorable elephant shirt. He squealed "L-fant"delightedly. I got my very first mama-versary gift. This beautiful hat, just in time for some chilly air in Austin.

So this year I wanted to give Dada a little bit of what he gives me all year...creative space and means. I have been oogling over average janes prints and printing classes for quite a while so I decided that I would get Dada a 5 week class in guerrilla screen printing with Kathleen Mctee at studio 1408. He has been doing his own home style printing for years but had sort of lost his supplies and time since Burger bounced out(yeah bounced he he). I figured it was high time he visit a creative safe house! He was very nervous his first week but this is week 3 and I think he is really getting into it. I don't have prints to share yet but soon.
I also gave him a new note book and made a handsome cover for it.


I like the whole family getting inspired together. This scene in the kitchen mid- week really gave me quite a thrill. It slowly evolved into a body art session

followed by one very long soapy bath.
I also made a few little outfits for my self to wear on my mans #30. He had requested a little french maid thing so I did my best with this little apron and a fun net body stocking and some pretty black strappy shoes.I also got some sassy little ankle boots to wear out to dinner(dada hinted he thought they were sexy)Trying to match these fabulous boot, I went to savers and for less than $20 I reconstructed a dress into a shirt, added a sweet brooch, then made a little shrug from some wacky early '90's sweater.I also got the belt at savers,the stockings were from my stash and Yes that is my fancy recycled black bag that I swapped with Blue Mama. Get yours in white!
We had dinner at an old favorite Austin Land and Cattle. Our steak was perfect black and blue. The real reason we go here is probably the escargot on their apps menu. It was delish and perfect. "The best dinner we have eaten out in a year at least" words from the birthday boy himself. We stayed at the Pearl streetB&B and I wish I could say it was as great as the restaurant. Although the Bed was gorgeous... The Breakfast was severely lacking. They served a "continental style" breakfast that was self serve Churro sticks and Folgers coffee.UGH! So it was more like a pretty hotel in a historic house. "The Inn has a reputation of offering exceptional ambiance and service" it says on their website but we didn't see anyone who worked there the entire time. Needless to say we had breakfast somewhere else. We had a beautiful fantastic week..thanks daddy for making your birthday all about us!
I love you my darling

I am a Joss Whedon nerd I admit it; but where have I been?

this is long and lovely

how i spent my morning

Thanks crazy texas mommy for the link to this fun quiz

Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz

You are a Katharine -- "I am happy and open to new things"

Katharines are energetic, lively, and optimistic. They want to contribute to the world.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Give me companionship, affection, and freedom.
• * Engage with me in stimulating conversation and laughter.
• * Appreciate my grand visions and listen to my stories.
• * Don't try to change my style. Accept me the way I am.
• * Be responsible for youself. I dislike clingy or needy people.
• * Don't tell me what to do.

What I Like About Being a Katharine

• * being optimistic and not letting life's troubles get me down
• * being spontaneous and free-spirited
• * being outspoken and outrageous. It's part of the fun.
• * being generous and trying to make the world a better place
• * having the guts to take risks and to try exciting adventures
• * having such varied interests and abilities

What's Hard About Being a Katharine

• * not having enough time to do all the things I want
• * not completing things I start
• * not being able to profit from the benefits that come from specializing; not making a commitment to a career
• * having a tendency to be ungrounded; getting lost in plans or fantasies
• * feeling confined when I'm in a one-to-one relationship

Katharines as Children Often

• * are action oriented and adventuresome
• * drum up excitement
• * prefer being with other children to being alone
• * finesse their way around adults
• * dream of the freedom they'll have when they grow up

Katharines as Parents

• * are often enthusiastic and generous
• * want their children to be exposed to many adventures in life
• * may be too busy with their own activities to be attentive

happy day to my sweetest

We had a great day yesterday! I can't believe we have had our little burger now for Two years, but I also can't remember( or imagine) life before him. We went to two fire stations in south Austin. (Thanks to blue mama for date inspiration) The firemen were all so sweet and burger was fascinated
Burger was a little to nervous to actually sit in the truck , We also had lunch with Dada at our favorite hop skip and a jump tex-mex restaurant Casa Maria. Then he had a special treat of Memee and Paps stopping by to drop his cool personalized wagon that they gave him for The big #2. He really loved the ride around the yard Paps delivered! I had to bribe him with cake to get him back in the car( although he was so tired he napped before he could sample the cakes) to head over to Heycupcake!this darling little cup cake vendor south congress.

Since I am waiting till our Saturday birthday bar-b-que to bake this cake for the boys,this was the perfect chance to check out these most talked about delish cakes. We got 2 standards(Chocolate icing yellow cake) one red velvet(yummy)... and for my finicky baby a carrot cake. (he won't eat chocolate). We snuggled up and read our new favorite birthday books and fell off to much needed rest( for all of us).
I love you, handsome little man!

Maker Madness; what you (and me)MISSED!!

Last week I purchased $53 of relpax(2pills) because there was no way that a sure to come migraine bout was gonna keep me from the faire. I had worked hard and was super excited about meeting lots of folks in person finally!
Well guess what , No migraines! Instead I had the most excruciatingly painful sore throat followed by an all out common cold? (i think I am still suffering) Lack of sleep and proper nutrients I suppose got the best of me finally anyway. WahWah right
I was there for Friday load in and until Saturday about 3:00 when my smuggled in hot tea supply fizzled and I heard the news there was no hot water or soup in the place(NO SOUP? what about those of us that should be home in bed....Rachel)I sat here while I was at the faire, then I left boohoo
Anyhow ,Of course my friends and brave hubby came to my rescue. (I cannot begin to express my gratitude esp in a blog so I will do that privately)
Daddy takes better pictures than me anyway here is a splattering...

~My favorite panties...this is all i have left of you

~Yumyummy cupcake necklaces and sweet vintage button rings from blue mama



Burger was terrified of the ping pong tossing robot! And frankly the blasting of Rick Astley" never gonna give you up" was quite petrifying......but "cool robot"was all I heard, when we were home and we had to watch The Iron giant 3X
Aside from my total failure to show up, the Belle and burger and Blue Mama combo booth was quite a successful collaboration. We are planning on moving BlueMama into the Farmers Market booth in November!
Here is our wondrous sign supplied by the fantastic guys over at Sun Signs~ a great local place to get your signage made! SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL AUSTIN BUSINESSES!!!!!


I think the real reason the craft faire gods made me sick was so my man could make the Biggest Booth sale of the weekend to bill Murray. He bought a awesomely cool blue mama "lone Star" beer cap necklace!!!! (shown here on this lady where you cannot see it) yes I said Bill Murray !!!Daddy even took stalker style photos and everything. What a thrill! I still cannot believe I missed it.

I did however get to meet crafty super star Jennifer Perkins of Naught Secretary Club . Jennifer and her sissy Hope (of Hot Pink Pistol, these are super~badass genius)had the booth right next to us.
Jennifer was looking quite lovely and had the personality to match. She also did some demos and was promoting her new fabulously crafty book" The Naught Secretary Club~ The working Girl's guide to handmade jewelry"

There is so much to say but I have a week of birthdays and one thing I am giving them is my time ! It was awesome an I am super excited abut all my new crafty pals.