ode to an october dress

(pattern: simplicity [new look] 0981)

each season and each month is a different color in my mind

and each color a feeling.

october seemed to slip away quietly 

and suddenly i'm here in november

still feeling like it's the beginning of fall

but the wind blows rough

 ripping the vibrant leaves away from their branches.

 i am just now getting around to it

but i made a dress in the ending of september

for all of fall, but mostly october.

and now with this dress (as with others past)

when i see or wear it

it's threads bring to mind the colors and feelings

which bring to mind memories of october 2015.

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the picnic dress

the only dress i've made this summer, the only dress i've needed this summer.
ice cream socials, outdoor concerts, music festivals, sunday morning services,
sweaty hours in the hot sun or cold buildings, countless washings and ironings.
packed in suitcases and garment bags, worn with sandals and boots,
changed into in dressing rooms and dimly lit bathroom stalls,
hours and hours next to daisy and the banjo and my skin.
a summer dress,
adventure dress,
nice outfit,
performance duds,
in picnic red gingham.
the color of summer 2015.

pattern: new look 6262

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let's run not walk (through this beautiful life)

"I know, it feels like you need to get your life on track. I know, it feels like you should be further ahead. I know, it feels like you’re stuck in that rut. You want to get it together and get over the inadequacy, uncertainty, missed chances, and all the should’ve-beens.
Don’t beat yourself up about it. Pace yourself, relax your fists, make steps, and don’t run. Let the dream breathe. Should-be is still could-be, and though time is short, time is left. Your moment is any moment you say now."

- J. S.

"Choices will continually be necessary and – let us not forget – possible. Obedience to God is always possible. It is a deadly error to fall into the notion that when feelings are extremely strong we can do nothing but act on them." 

- E. Elliot

I looked at everyone and wondered where they came from, and who they missed, and what they were sorry for.

- J. Foer

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another season, another dress

or: spring self portraits.

last evening there was a pretty patch of golden light in the upstairs hallway.

it slipped below the overhang of frothy clouds to end the dark day with light.

and about an evening before that,

i finished sewing a spring dress.

it's okay to add a strand of pearls and windblown hair and a free heart.

spring is a very funny time for me.
for very many reasons.

but embracing.
that's what i've been learning.

embracing the good.

i haven't been blogging a lot or making photographs.

or sewing for that matter (at least compared to other times).

and when i do sew, it's a show dress.  

there's more show nights than free nights lately.

and more still to come. 

someday i will write more about this and what it means,

how it's affecting me and so forth (because it is greatly and i need to).
someday i will blog more and photograph and make more films.

but for now,

i'm just content to put on a pretty dress,

stand in weakening gold for a moment,

and let things come as they come.

i still have things to say.

i still read the words you people write

(both in comments
[ie. thats why i moderate, not because of bad comments, but so i'm sure to read them]

and on your blogs).

but be patient with me, for i am learning and growing.

for we all are. and change is inevitable.

sew day snow day

pattern: simplicity 1459

(also seen here)

made this one a little cold weather friendly 

hence the longer sleeves and dark print.

when there is a snow event

my family just stays at home with movies and food.

i'm glad that winter decided to return, even for a bit.

is it alright to be a little bit sad that it is march and warm weather is coming?

good for my soul

i made a dress out of a sheet.
a pretty vintage sheet from an estate sale.

it is the colors of autumn.
it is the colors of the waxy
yellow leaves i that flutter through the air
i retrieve from the soft grass
hold in my hand
press in my heavy books.

this yellow and gold...
they are some of my favorites.
they are good for my soul.
that and this sapphire blue
spotless and clean
sky above me.

   

    (dress pattern: Simplicity 0981)

dress up like a sunflower

late summer in Kansas means endless fields thick with sunflowers.

they stretch their necks high, 

turning their broad, open faces across the sky with the sun.

last Sunday my outfit sort of resembled my favorite flower,

what with a green skirt, yellow top and brown hair.

it was a perfect early fall day, 

the air and grass cool, wild sunflowers blooming in the strangest places around the house,

we frolicked around the backyard taking pictures of each other.

to my Kansas.

(officially the 'Sunflower State')

Daisy doesn't like saturn missiles.

i know it's been a while since i've shared any sewing projects

but thats because, well,

i haven't been sewing.

blame it on a full life i guess.

or just blame it on summer.

there are so many more wonderful things to be doing instead of sitting inside,

even if its just sitting with Daisy on the front porch,

eating ice cream

watching crazy neighbors set off firecrackers.

Daisy is very good with firecrackers,

she doesn't spook or get scared that much,

but the really big ones that vibrate in my chest and the ear piercing saturn missiles...

well, that's just something she can't take.

it sends her darting under the glider or into my lap.

so anyway,

to my readers here in the US,

happy Independance Day or 4th of July or whatever you like to call it.

i just like to wear patriotic colors, go fishing, eat and think about history.

... and hand Daisy to mom 

so i can go light the saturn missile pack and then the golden willow.

ha.

i'm such a traitor, aren't i?

so about the sewing,
it feels so good to get back working with fabric
evenif just for an afternoon it was refreshing,
like being with an old friend.
so if you're looking for a not too authentic but very easy and very cheap pattern,

look no further than this awesome baby.

made this dress in an afternoon it's that wonderful.

for winter's come and gone

the sun now shines with warmth and favor
my feet are bare
the wind tugs at my dress
the air is laced with the delightful perfume only the early flowers bring

Winter's Come and Gone - Gillian Welch

"for winter's come and gone

 a little bird told me so"

dress from this pattern
(made sleeves different just for kicks)