Pitchin' Woo

Cherries

 

It's cherry season in Romania. You can find them everywhere, but the best are from roadside stands. 10 lei (about $3.50 American) you can get an entire kilo.

So I believe one of my favorite French desserts is in order.

Cherry Clafoutis

 

My version of Craftsy's Sassy Librarian Blouse

I made this shirt from Craftsy's Online Course "Sassy Librarian Blouse with Christine Haynes". This is the first time I took a sewing class online. Actually this is my first time taking a sewing class period. I had a fantastic time doing it. Following along made me take the time to do things the "right" way. I have a tendency to make things up as I go along and many times suffer the consequences for it later.

I used some feedsack material I had lying about for my first run. I also wanted a print as this would be my first time tackling pintucks and figured if they went awry it would be less obvious on a print.

I'm a little wrinkly as my friend took this of me after a day in the sun and some fabric shopping.

I was pretty pleased with my first go-around on this one. I did take it up a bit too much so it's riding a little high in the waist. I will definitely have to adjust the pattern for my short waist next time. I brought the front pleats up as well which wouldn't need to be done if I alter the pattern in from the waist line rather can going up from the hem.

I'm also going to need to adjust for my narrow shoulder as it doesn't lay down quite right on the neckline.

Yes that's a beautiful Bucharest street shot there in the back. It's the closest thing to a clothing action shot as I'm willing to take.

Overall I'm really pleased with the course and will probably make several of these (and of the other version in the course as well) soon as I get these fit issues solved.

1958 Simplicity 2532 Top Pattern

I've decided to use this cute cotton print with kitchen utensils. I bought the entire bolt of this fabric when I found it probably a good 8 years ago in the discount bin of a JoAnn's. I adore the retro feel of the pattern, without it being the hoky retro diner overkill that's so commonly found.

The trouble is piping doesn't exist in Romania. I'd like to make view 1 with a nice red piping detail on the trim but I haven't even been able to find red cotton here. I've found multiple bolts of fully sequined fabric and various forms of neon animal print, but even white or black cotton appears to be unheard of.

Now I leave for Texas in a week, but then I wouldn't have this top for summer, atleast not this summer. What's a girl to do?

Vintage Summer Tops

I've finally felt a little settle in now with my move to Romania. It only took me 10 months. Nothing feels settled in until a sewing space has been created. I'm still working on my sewing space being anything more than a table with my machine and an ironing board. But atleast it's a place to start.

It's starting to be summer and I just finished up Christine Hayne's online Craftsy Class: The Sassy Librarian Blouse. This has put me on a bit of a summer blouse bender. As I'm heading back to the states for 6 weeks this summer I'll be lucky if I can complete one of the following top patterns. 

But I'm really lucky to have these patterns to choose from.

 

Now it's off to the dwindled down fabric stash to see what I got and that hopefully will guide me towards choosing a pattern.

Cliche - Illustrated Film of French Stereotypes

This film is simply brilliant.

You can see it here Cliche France as Seen From Abroad

 

Also on Youtube in English and French

 

via www.fausseparisienne.com

Devereaux's Feelings about Marie Antoinette

Poor dog suffers for my francophilia.

Project Runway Season 8 Flubbed Finale

Gretchen....seriously? Nothing, nothing about these looks was interesting, fresh or "wearable". Wearable public underwear? If I saw these on the rack not only would I look right past them, I would think, "Cheap and Crunchy"

UNLESS I wanted to dress up for Halloween as....

 

Dumb Donald.

Paris vs New York

This is a great new graphic series, a friendly comparison between two of the most beloved (or hated) cities.

Paris vs. New York

via www.fausseparisienne.com

Devereaux's First Dog Halloween Costume : Marie Antoinette

The costume is still in progress. It's cold so I let her "pose" on the heating pad.

I'm going to remove the lace collar I think. It's too Queen Victoria, maybe I'll save it for next year.

Paris Summer 2010

 

This summer I finally made it back to Paris for the summer.

 

My sister came to stay with me for a week or so as well, it was her first time there. She loves Italy and I love France. This has only posed problems in 2006 during World Cup. I was in Croatia and she was in Texas so no one was harmed.

 

We walked a lot and ate a lot. But really it all evens out.

Berthillon... bien sûr.

 

Angelina's for chocolat chaud. I did buy the powder to bring back to Colombia. It's been great on these cold days, especially this week since I was on holiday and moved by French classes to the morning. This is the luxury of a home vacation.

Both of these are standard for any Paris vist. But our favorite place, hence daily, place was Coquelicot near Metro Abbesses. They have an amazing brunch. Brunch seems to be just taking off in Paris. But we went for breakfast. Every Day. It was only a few blocks from the apartment and a few steps from the metro that took us straight to center. If you get there early enough you can sit at the few table they have outside, just far enough off the street. But there's also a great little upstairs room that always seemed to have room, even on those brunch Sundays.

The big coffee bowls and tartine with local honey are my two favorite. The brioche is excellent as well. Plus get this...it's affordable. 

 

 

via www.fausseparisienne.com