Thursday, January 31, 2013

Ready for you, Thursday



The morning light was too gorgeous to pass up, and now that my office is mostly organized (my fabric shelf is next), I feel like I can get back to work with lighter shoulders.

Please know that the "gown" on the body form is not happening. The top goes with a solid black skirt, the bow goes to a camera strap project and the pink maxi is a project I'd forgotten about, so I placed it front and center in hopes that I would finish it. It has 3 layers; satin, chiffon and organza, and it now needs a zipper. I don't want to sew the layers together, so I'm going to use this tutorial. But, it's a personal project, so those often fall to the wayside...

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

8 hours of cleaning ahead of me

Hmph. Today is the day that I take some time to clean my office. 
I'm so overwhelmed already that I could break down and cry at this moment! I have been stocking up on fabrics again, with little space to do this. Plus, I've started hoarding my scraps as I plan to open a shop for home goods and babies in the near future. All this plus some bad habits makes for a disaster zone.

So, I'm throwing back some shots of espresso, taking deep breaths and trying not to stress out about the things I wish I were sewing. Wish me luck, dear friend. I hope to return with good news, and maybe some pictures, should it actually look decent when it's over. 

Hope you're all able to quickly defeat the humpday blues.

xo!

Monday, January 28, 2013

Vintage Secretary Tank




This shirt has been seen at 2 photo shoots and never made it to the shop. To be honest, it was because each shirt was many hours work in the making and I was feeling overwhelmed by it. But, I've finally mastered the skills needed to process these quickly enough that I can sell them, which is great, because many people have asked me about when they will be in the shop. I'm hoping to have them up next week.

They will be listed in these 2 fabrics, but because both are dead stock, whatever I list is all I have.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Prints





































I have an eclectic taste for prints. I love realism, abstract concepts, soft lines, hard lines and fonts. I would place this collection on one wall all together and not even think twice about it. Do you keep your prints/artwork separate by palette, space or genre?

All of these prints can be found on etsy too, my darlings.

Magic Farmhouse, $18
Give Thanks, $22
Minke Whale, $10
Print ABC's, $35
Johnny (Cash) Letterpress, $40
Ballerina, $20
Eclipse, $20
Fine Herbs, $39
Roam, $15

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Valentines Day Wishlist Inspiration Board

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11
This is a sweet Valentines Day party just waiting to happen.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Friday, January 18, 2013

Fashion Inspiration Board- Drinks in the City

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7


I went into San Francisco last night for some drinks with one of my dearest friends. I was really struck by how much I want to see her more often. It's silly that she lives one city over and I see her sometimes only once a month. I think it's just been easy for me to wall myself up in my cozy little apartment. And after doing that for so long, I've come to find that I now have some pretty severe anxiety in crowds. I feel that at any second, something horrific will happen. This is likely because the things I hear most about the outside world are from the news.. and we all know the kinds of things they broadcast.

So, I want to push myself to stop living in fear. I want to get to know the outside world from my own experience. I want to ride public transit more. I want to not feel anxious when the homeless ask me for money/drugs/sex. I want to trust more that the God I profess to believe in is powerful enough to save me and wise enough to take me. I'm not saying I'm going to go do dumb things, like take a stroll alone at 2am, but that it's time for me to be challenged.

And it's going to be hard.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Chia Seed Coffee Cake (eggless coffee cake)


The reason my baking is subpar is mostly due to my excessive "healthier" substituting. But this one worked out wonderfully. Granted, I don't know how much fat I've reduced from this recipe, I can tell you that what they say about chia seeds being filling is true. I couldn't even eat a full piece of this.

Recipe
3 cups flour
1.5 tsp baking soda
1.5 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tbs chia seeds + 1/2 cup hot water (or 3 eggs)
3/4 cup butter, softened
1.5 cups sugar
1.5 cups nonfat vanilla yogurt (or sour cream with vanilla extract)

3/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 nuts (optional)

First, prep the chia seeds. In a mug, mix 2 tbs of chia seeds with 1/2 cup of water. Stir and let sit until it becomes gelatinous. 
Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon (add optional nuts here) in a small bowl, set aside. 
Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl, set aside.
In a large bowl cream together butter and sugar on high for about a minute. Add seed mixture to that and mix on high one more minute.
Slow mixer setting to low. Add both 1/3 of the flour mixture and 1/3 of the yogurt at a time, mixing on low until fully blended.
Grease 2 loaf pans. Pour 1/4 batter into the bottom of each pan. Add a layer of the brown sugar and cinnamon. Repeat once. This cake rises to about twice it's size, so make sure it has space to grow.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes.


Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Fashion Inspiration Board- Coffee Date

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

It's my goal to go out for coffee once a week, simply so that I actually get dressed. Here's my inspiration for my Friday coffee date. I'm in LOVE with the faux fur collar!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

2013 Calendar Love

$24


$26


$17.50

$24

$20

$25




I already have a tiny pocketbook calendar, but I'm thinking I'd like something for my desk. Here are the ones I'm drawn to. Food or nature? Drawn or photographed?

Monday, January 14, 2013

White Lace Spring Cardigan



This cropped cardigan will hit the shop soon. I'm reworking the spacing of buttons, so I will have a Large and an XL like the ones above listed on sale for $40. The regular price will be $64, so please let me know if you'd like one of the sale cardigans (XL or L) and I will reserve it for you.

Golden Birthday

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

My golden birthday was when I was 11 years old. I have a strong enthusiasm for the number. Not only was I born on 11/11, but my maiden initials were K.M.K (hence my stop name) and K is the 11th number in the alphabet; making my initials K.K. also my birthday 11.11. To a kid, this means some sort of destiny. When I married out of K.K., I became K.C. which is my name; Kasey. My new first and last name now has 11 letters too. So, while it was hard to let go of my bizarre attachment to K.K., the transition was manageable.

Also, I should note that while it's weird that I should over-think all of this; I sew in silence a lot, giving me plenty of time to churn meaningless things over in my brain.





Sunday, January 13, 2013

Vintage Mint Spring Skirt





I have to say that when I found this fabric, I ran to it. You know how hands-y those thrift stores can get. It has incredible drape, has hues of mint, peach AND mustard, and it is covered in big bold roses.

Sadly, there was only enough to make 5 skirts... boo.

I probably won't list this until I can get some decent photos, but you can by all means contact me now if you're wanting one. They're 20" long and priced at $33.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Recent Dessert Pins



Click through to find the recipes.











                                                                                                                                                                                            





Source: duabu.com via Kasey on Pinterest






Source: abeautifulmess.typepad.com via Kasey on Pinterest





Source: cookingandme.com via Kasey on Pinterest










Friday, January 11, 2013

(23rd/1st)

Meg is the super sweet owner of (23rd/1st). Her beautifully curated shop sells handmade clothing and accessories for women, men and babies.

I had the pleasure of working with Meg this past year creating customized dresses and skirts with the fabric she chose. Her taste is incredible, people. Check it out:






She's currently running a sale in her shop to make room for spring items, so you're honestly getting a steal if you head on over there now.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Spring Color Trends




I'm getting ideas and getting pumped. 
I can't wait for those longer days, breezy blouses and SUNSHINE. 

Customer Appreciation- Charlie's Maids


I love this wedding party. The girls all got the same tops and fabric, but they chose different fits and lengths for the skirts. It's such a simple way to make each maid happy and still have them match. And seriously, they look so comfortable wearing what flatters them perfectly.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Evening Garden Party Inspiration






Source: whisk-kid.com via Kasey on Pinterest








How I wish I had a porch or yard. I am dreaming of an outdoor garden party.