Starting this blog has reminded me of why I found it so hard to journal.  I'm just too busy most of the time to sit down and write what I've been up to.  So here is a synopsis (with pictures) of my activities over the last two weeks.

Firstly, I tackled the dreaded brown crazy quilt.  Here are the first 3 blocks ready to be embellished.

The fabrics include velvet, crushed velvet, embroidered micro corduroy, microsuede, cotton lace and silk.

I used the Montano method of construction.

Next, I made a necklace from a kit by Stef Francis

Stef Francis is a UK based designer.  This kit contained dyed silk cocoons, cord and embellishments for the necklace.  I chose the cocoons with a peacock color palette to go with a dress that I was making.

 
This is a fitted dress and bolero from the designs in "Alabama Studio Sewing + Design", the latest book from Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin.







The dress is constructed of organic cotton, available from the Alabama Chanin website.  The color is Peacock and it is very rich.

It is completely hand sewn with czech glass beading on the bolero and bodice.

Alabama Chanin is based in Florence, Alabama and offers a range of custom, ready to wear and DIY clothing and accessories.  All of the clothes are made from organic, US grown and dyed cotton jersey and can be purchased from the company at their website.
Alabama Chanin DIY Store

I have a number of works in progress....

The first is a baby quilt for a friend.  I am not going to publish a picture online until she has seen it first.

The second is an altered dress.

I found this green dress in a local outlet store called "Dirt Cheap".  It is very large and rather plain and so I am going to make it fit and make it fun.

Astronomy nerds will know about the planetary conjunction earlier this month.  On March 12 and 13, Venus and Jupiter appeared in the early evening sky a mere 3 degrees apart.  I am told it was impressive, however it was cloudy here and I couldn't see.