tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59680632024-02-03T11:49:50.914-06:00mamazillathe alter ego of a sleep deprived mom of two. SLEEPLESS AND BLOGGING ABOUT IT SINCE 2003.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.comBlogger540125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-20952801768997301282013-09-27T11:15:00.000-05:002013-09-27T11:19:31.030-05:00ishkabibble - a mixtape for you...it's <a href="http://mamazilla.blogspot.com/search/label/andra" target="_blank">andra's</a> birthday today... she would have been 42. :)<br />
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andra made me a handful of mixtapes when we were younger. i love them dearly and they are the only reasons i still have one tape player left in the house... :) they're carefully crafted with doodles and text art... and thankfully, andra had very eclectic taste in music. although we shared a lot of favorites, she always introduced me to something new.<br />
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i re-created one of her mixtapes for you below. i hope you enjoy it! track listing follows....<br />
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<iframe height="288" src="http://8tracks.com/mixes/2510083/player_v3_universal" style="border: 0px none;" width="512"></iframe>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5968063">ishkabibble</a> from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5968063">guniteoday</a> on <a href="http://8tracks.com/">8tracks Radio</a>.</div>
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1. mountains - prince & the revolution
2. dance to the music - sly & the family stone
3. the sensual world - kate bush
4. avalon - bryan ferry / roxy music
5. happy - public image limited
6. warrior - public image limited
7. orinoco flow - enya
8. fury eyes - the creatures
9. lay my love - brian eno / jah wobble
10. one word - brian eno / jah wobble
11. coyote - yoyo ma / bobbie mcferrin
12. air - yoyo ma / bobbie mcferrin
13. never stop - echo & the bunnymen
14. the killing moon - echo & the bunnymen
15. just like heaven - the cure
16. kool aid - B.A.D. II
17. in my dreams - B.A.D. II
18. plainsong - the cure
19. looney tunes / merrie melodies - carl stalling
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be careful. be good. be nice. and happy birthday, andra! :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-56250543471344730432013-09-10T09:13:00.000-05:002013-09-10T09:13:59.549-05:00under stars by tess gallagherthe sleep of this night deepens<div>
because i have walked coatless from the house</div>
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carrying the white envelope.</div>
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all night it will say one name</div>
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in its little tin house by the roadside.</div>
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i have raised the metal flag</div>
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so its shadow under the roadlamp</div>
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leaves an imprint on the rain-heavy bushes.</div>
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now i will walk back </div>
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thinking of the few lights on </div>
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in the town a mile away.</div>
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in the yellowed light of a kitchen</div>
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the millworker has finished his coffee,</div>
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his wife has laid out the white slices of bread</div>
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on the counter. Now while the bed they have left</div>
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is still warm, i will think of you, you</div>
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who are so far away</div>
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you have caused me to look up at the stars.</div>
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tonight they have not moved</div>
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from childhood, those games played after dark.</div>
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again i walk into the wet grass</div>
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toward the starry voices. again, i</div>
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am the found one, intimate, returned</div>
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by all i touch on the way.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-4804877730128702092013-06-04T22:06:00.001-05:002014-05-12T17:14:56.132-05:00built like a tank... :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
my sister bought a few <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malong" target="_blank">malongs</a> for me and for the longest time, i haven't done anything with them because a) i don't really wear them b) i really love the fabric and couldn't bear to cut it up... </div>
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but i recently whittled down my stash again and found them and was inspired to use them, they're just too pretty to sit in a box. i made one of them into a <a href="http://shop.grainlinestudio.com/product/tiny-pocket-tank" target="_blank">tiny pocket tank</a>. it's a very easy pattern - the instructions and diagrams are very clear.</div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JJVIdoYMu6A/Ua4_JU4qYhI/AAAAAAAACIU/hzyBVYqUj4U/s1600/CAM00002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JJVIdoYMu6A/Ua4_JU4qYhI/AAAAAAAACIU/hzyBVYqUj4U/s400/CAM00002.jpg" height="400" width="296" /></a></div>
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i'm so pleased with how it turned out and how it fits. and i actually have enough fabric left over to make a wrap skirt too! bonus! this tank is going to be a great layering addition. looking forward to making more breezy tanks this summer... maybe i should start a new challenge and make tanks on tuesdays! </div>
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no. that was a joke. ;)</div>
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thanks for stopping by and visiting for a spell!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-6544335730369165712013-05-30T22:15:00.000-05:002013-05-30T22:43:12.711-05:00my new spring scarf!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
when <a href="http://www.annamariahorner.com/index.html" target="_blank">anna maria horner</a>'s new(ish) lawn fabric, called <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/74067014@N00/7748969462" target="_blank">"fine feathered" in pomegranate</a>, came in to the store, all of my coworkers bought some yardage to make into scarves... meanwhile, did they leave me even an inch??!! nooooooo....</div>
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so when we got the reorder in, i snagged two yds for myself! ha! </div>
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but, after i brought it home i realized... hmm... we were all going to have the same scarves... unless...</div>
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DUN DUN DUN!!! </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cQaYfvkOP4U/UagMHfwNe5I/AAAAAAAACG0/6bG63OX8B6Q/s1600/05282013+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cQaYfvkOP4U/UagMHfwNe5I/AAAAAAAACG0/6bG63OX8B6Q/s320/05282013+011.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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oooohkay... i guess you either love the whole mini pom pom fringe trend or you hate it... i kinda dig it myself... :)</div>
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i looked around locally for mint green mini pom pom fringe and couldn't find it... honestly, i have no idea why the mint green/celadon color was so appealing to me, but i had to have it. i ordered 4 yds from <a href="http://warehousefabricsinc.com/" target="_blank">warehouse fabrics</a> which has a pretty large color selection of mini pom pom fringe. </div>
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so i washed the lawn fabric in my machine - cold, gentle cycle. then, while it was still wet, i twisted it into a hank - much like this:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ty9pZZu_V3o" width="420"></iframe></div>
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when it was dry, i ironed out just the perimeter of the fabric so that i'd have a flat surface to sew. </div>
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i sewed (btw - if you are sewing a lightweight fabric like cotton lawn, make sure you're using an appropriate sized machine needle) all around with a 1/2 inch seam but left a 3" gap to pull the scarf inside out:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gvtmelL1ixA/UagSqkjyotI/AAAAAAAACHE/VhpezNfvwwI/s1600/new+spring+scarf+diagram+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gvtmelL1ixA/UagSqkjyotI/AAAAAAAACHE/VhpezNfvwwI/s640/new+spring+scarf+diagram+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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after the scarf is pulled inside out, press the seam flat and sew the gap closed.</div>
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to sew the mini pom pom fringe, i needed to use my zipper foot. i placed the rib portion of the fringe close to the edge of the scarf, and just started sewing.... this was probably the most time consuming portion of the project.. i was worried that i would catch one of the pom pom the the seam while sewing, so i took it very slow... :)</div>
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i would like my scarf to be a little more wrinkled than pictured, so, i'll most likely dampen it down again later by spraying it with a bit of water and then twisting it into a hank again....</div>
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all in all, i LOVE my new scarf! we have some more beautiful lawns in the store and have also gotten in a shipment of different sized pom pom fringe... already have my eye on some fabric and complimentary trim! >:)</div>
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thanks for coming by and reading! </div>
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thursday link parties: <a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/" target="_blank">house of hepworths</a>, <a href="http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">the brambleberry cottage</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ed4jjEwjQ24/URwoFhU59aI/AAAAAAAAQ10/ff_266BGokk/s200/TT+logo.png" style="border: 0px solid rgb(95, 95, 95); padding: 3px;" width="200" /></a> <span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/" title="Somewhat Simple"><img alt="Somewhat Simple" src="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/somewhatsimplelink-party.jpg" /></a></u></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-69459146418824846592013-05-24T08:42:00.003-05:002013-05-24T08:42:40.912-05:00friday dance - thrift shop i love when a new generation "discovers" the thrift store... <div>
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bwahahahaha!!! *snort* newbies.... *smh*<div>
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(heads up, the version below is not clean, so prolly shouldn't play around little ears...)<br /><div>
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happy friday! hope y'all have a relaxing extended weekend! :)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-3640615732579249142013-05-16T09:31:00.002-05:002013-05-16T09:31:59.898-05:00moar reversible bags! :)recently, we dedicated a week of school to give thanks to the teachers who truly go above and beyond... i modified the reversible bag pattern i usually use by shortening it a little and adding a pleat in the middle... i kinda dig it:<div>
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this was my pattern test. i loved it so much, i kept it. (four.eyed.deer.)<br /><div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b_hj2VYdo6s/UZTrrrjAMoI/AAAAAAAACGE/_Shigj0ovCU/s1600/reversible+bag+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b_hj2VYdo6s/UZTrrrjAMoI/AAAAAAAACGE/_Shigj0ovCU/s320/reversible+bag+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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this one was made for a teacher who is also a whovian. we picked out the fabrics for the similar tardis console room geometrics and the space whale episode.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ML700rZQ2Y/UZTrr9av91I/AAAAAAAACGI/I1pGKJ6AD9Y/s1600/reversible+bag+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ML700rZQ2Y/UZTrr9av91I/AAAAAAAACGI/I1pGKJ6AD9Y/s320/reversible+bag+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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the art teacher at school is an accomplished mosaic artist - a common icon/inspiration she uses is the sugar skull.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rs4sLvLAm_E/UZTrsOq_PUI/AAAAAAAACGM/0xAi2vk63Ck/s1600/reversible+bag+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rs4sLvLAm_E/UZTrsOq_PUI/AAAAAAAACGM/0xAi2vk63Ck/s320/reversible+bag+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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this bag was for porkchop's teacher. i really liked the doodles in the grey fabric which remind me of his love of doodling... </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tc82g7L8-C8/UZTruGZcz7I/AAAAAAAACGU/iSFyoJpD4OM/s1600/reversible+bag+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tc82g7L8-C8/UZTruGZcz7I/AAAAAAAACGU/iSFyoJpD4OM/s320/reversible+bag+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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this bag was for paloma's teacher who was wearing a similar color combo and whose fave color is green.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkpgXbQBoOs/UZTrvBl903I/AAAAAAAACGc/KCYq824XOHo/s1600/reversible+bag+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkpgXbQBoOs/UZTrvBl903I/AAAAAAAACGc/KCYq824XOHo/s320/reversible+bag+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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lastly, i wanted to update you on the status of the Colette Laurel contest. sadly, i didn't make it into the readers' choice round, but i had some stiff competition. please check out the finalists and vote for 5 of your faves <a href="http://www.coletterie.com/colette-patterns-news/laurel-contest-cast-your-vote-for-readers-choice" target="_blank">here</a>!</div>
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thanks for coming by and reading! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-35457855232718990022013-04-27T15:43:00.000-05:002013-04-30T13:57:28.694-05:00Colette Patterns - Laurel Dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
so i've been a little busy sewing bee lately... :)</div>
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i decided a while ago to enter the <a href="http://www.coletterie.com/colette-patterns-news/the-laurel-sewing-contest-thousands-in-prizes-a-dozen-chances-to-win" target="_blank">colette patterns' laurel sewing contest</a>. but i was having trouble deciding how i wanted to alter the pattern and what fabrics i wanted. <br />
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i ended up altering the pattern by simply 1) making the yoke, 2) the horizontal band under the yoke, 3) the vertical print stripe down center front, 4) the solid band at the front hem and lastly, 5) facings for the front and back. i also made my own bias tape for the arm openings. (i love making my own bias tape. whee!)<br />
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i also decided on these three fabrics: <br />
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<a href="http://www.theneedleshop.net/products/michael-miller-fabric-33" target="_blank">michael miller malibu stripe</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/shop/product/c300-30/" target="_blank">riley blake ombre green</a> - sadly you can't tell from the pics that the green fabric is ombre. but it is! and it's really cool looking!<br />
<a href="https://the-needle-shop.myshopify.com/collections/all-fabric/products/michael-miller-fabric-24" target="_blank">michael miller coral cotton couture solid</a><br />
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i was really inspired by all the color blocked dresses i've seen on the runways. i was curious if i could emulate something similar myself.... i have to admit, during the process, i was really second guessing what this dress might become, but i'm really happy with it. <br />
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i'd really like to try altering the pattern again with more asymetrical blocks of color... and with different prints/colors. <br />
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this really was an easy and fun pattern/dress - even with all of my alterations - to make. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwOn3M5uEmI/UXwxO-MePuI/AAAAAAAACEw/8it-A-pu_TY/s1600/04272013+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwOn3M5uEmI/UXwxO-MePuI/AAAAAAAACEw/8it-A-pu_TY/s320/04272013+Front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eACk9NVEKOo/UXwxTFnjpfI/AAAAAAAACE4/IhZP5sP4S8c/s1600/04272013+Side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eACk9NVEKOo/UXwxTFnjpfI/AAAAAAAACE4/IhZP5sP4S8c/s320/04272013+Side.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sb2g1CKiNKY/UXwxOfFmzII/AAAAAAAACEo/X9Dw8Lclsls/s1600/04272013+Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sb2g1CKiNKY/UXwxOfFmzII/AAAAAAAACEo/X9Dw8Lclsls/s320/04272013+Back.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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ennyhoo... thanks for coming by and reading! please forgive me for the brief post... i spent most of the day at <a href="http://www.c2e2.com/" target="_blank">C2E2</a> yesterday and then some <a href="http://untitledchicago.com/home-page/" target="_blank">drinkin and dancing</a> in the evening... and i'm plum tuckered out. if you have any questions about the dress, please leave them in the comments! :)</div>
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<a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/butterflygirlms/Request/COMButtonMonday_zpse6e7cd06.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-53591186703032531442013-04-03T15:37:00.000-05:002013-04-03T15:37:37.036-05:00Wish you were here!Greetings from Hilton Head Island, SC!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vw0PknNIsgc/UVySi6PqQjI/AAAAAAAACEY/DAxzpq3QtSM/s1600/IMG_20130403_122732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vw0PknNIsgc/UVySi6PqQjI/AAAAAAAACEY/DAxzpq3QtSM/s320/IMG_20130403_122732.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-53653158400537120482013-03-30T09:49:00.001-05:002013-03-30T09:49:05.464-05:00Greetings from Tennessee!<p>At the local Tar-zhay. C'mon Chicago, show the local schools some love! :)</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M3nsp5q999k/UVb7X6xLIOI/AAAAAAAACEI/fyN2d1ZwWHY/s1600/IMG_20130330_092822.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M3nsp5q999k/UVb7X6xLIOI/AAAAAAAACEI/fyN2d1ZwWHY/s640/IMG_20130330_092822.jpg' /> </a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-55925024507555699472013-03-25T12:08:00.004-05:002013-03-25T13:59:14.839-05:00collaborationlately, i've noticed a lot of collabrations... mentions of artists inspired by/collaborating with other artists... finished products or completed works by two or more collaborating artists, bloggers collaborating on other blogs, etc...<br />
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i was just thinking how funny it is that so many creative people i know are really introverted and yet have no trouble/little trouble opening up to collaborate with other creative people.... or maybe some of us do... (?) i dunno... i swear we are the most confusing people evar. :) <br />
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i recently started working at a local fabric store and with fellow <a href="http://www.colum.edu/Academics/Fashion/fashion-design.php" target="_blank">columbia</a> alum, <a href="http://jenbeeman.com/" target="_blank">jen beeman</a>. if you haven't visited her blog yet - <a href="http://grainlinestudio.com/" target="_blank">go. now.</a><br />
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jen is really funny and fun to work with and i look forward to picking her multifaceted brain about possibly developing some downloadable patterns of my own in the future... <br />
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lastly, <a href="http://www.teapartyswings.com/" target="_blank">the dance weekend </a>that i am DYING (DYYYYYING!!!!) to go to someday happened over the weekend... it's where WCS dancers can meet up with Lindyhop dancers... it's amazeballs. i especially love the crossover dances, even funnier this year, the WCS dancers dressed up in vintage inspired gear and the lindyhoppers are dressed in modern day wear:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/onyKd6vXq_c?list=UUtOt6oZ_NekOyDLhG8jcaEw" width="560"></iframe><br />
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ennyhoo... although i'm juggling a couple of new projects in the air - <a href="http://figgyspatterns.com/patterns/sunki/" target="_blank">figgy's sunki pattern</a> for paloma, a bowling shirt for porkchop and possibly throwing my hat into the collette patterns <a href="http://www.coletterie.com/colette-patterns-news/the-laurel-sewing-contest-thousands-in-prizes-a-dozen-chances-to-win" target="_blank">laurel sewing contest</a>... i'll be leaving later this week on a spring break road trip from chicago to hilton head, sc - passing thru nashville, tn and savannah, ga... <br />
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hope this short post finds you well and warm! (it's 36 here!) <br />
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thanks for coming by and reading... :) Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-9657519415349195742013-03-20T11:14:00.000-05:002013-03-20T11:25:53.438-05:00read: the handmade marketplace: how to sell your crafts locally, globally and online<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7292922-the-handmade-marketplace" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Handmade Marketplace: How To Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, And Online" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348246353m/7292922.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7292922-the-handmade-marketplace">The Handmade Marketplace: How To Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, And Online</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3222539.Kari_Chapin">Kari Chapin</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/553661568">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
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if you (like me) have ever considered getting serious about selling your garments or projects/crafts, this is the book for you....<br />
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it's written for crafters by crafters - easy to follow, understand, relate to and best of all very very encouraging... <br />
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the author and her panel of crafters cover everything from very basic business tips, marketing and branding including using social/online as well as print media, and selling - either online, in a store or a craft fair or all of the above...<br />
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i especially appreciate all of the tips and recalled experiences from the various crafters and creators... it's reassuring to know that these very successful people were once in your (my) unsure shoes. it's very thought provoking too - re: online sales and craft fairs... i really didn't put much deep thought into anything outside of pricing and selling (which scares me to death). the book made me consider a reasonable return policy as well as the methods of payment i should accept.<br />
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admittedly, i skipped the portion about podcasting because i doubt i'd ever use that as a marketing tool... additionally, i was a little lost during the press kit portion of the book as well... again, another tool i don't think i would use...<br />
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i absolutely LOVED this book and am so thankful to the author, kari chapin, for writing it!! since reading the book, i feel more confident about trying to sell my own garments online and at craft fairs... <br />
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thanks so much for coming by and reading... :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4176968-mamazilla">View all my reviews</a><br />
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p.s. our youngest cat, rascal says this book just put him to sleep.... (owner note: everything puts rascal to sleep except between the hours of 3am - 6am)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--F_s0Ql9uCI/UUnfSDMgF8I/AAAAAAAACBQ/IvSQhLKf_is/s1600/IMG_20130320_100036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--F_s0Ql9uCI/UUnfSDMgF8I/AAAAAAAACBQ/IvSQhLKf_is/s320/IMG_20130320_100036.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-77249892798862341382013-03-18T09:19:00.000-05:002013-03-18T09:22:21.500-05:00godspeed...i received an email from our school that a father of two students (a 3rd grader and a kindergartner) passed away over the weekend... <br />
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i didn't know the dad personally, i knew who he was and that he was a very jovial, friendly and popular dad amongst our mutual friends/parents.... <br />
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despite not knowing him, i'm so sad to hear the news... i can 't even imagine the kind of grief they must be experiencing... i pray for him, his wife and their children, family and friends... i pray that God helps them in their sorrow... sheltering and embracing them through the stormy and weary days ahead... <br />
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i just learned that the dad was also very connected to the chicago music scene as a musician for a very popular local band and as a manager of many bands - local and elsewhere... he wrote the song below about his life and his children, it's performed by the band, kaiser cartel...<br />
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please join me and leave a light on for this family tonight... <br />
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<div class="widget_iframe" style="border: 0; display: inline-block; height: 104px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 380px;">
<iframe class="widget_iframe" frameborder="0" height="100%" scrolling="no" src="http://www.reverbnation.com/widget_code/html_widget/artist_201561?widget_id=50&pwc[design]=default&pwc[background_color]=%23333333&pwc[included_songs]=0&pwc[song_ids]=4078534&pwc[photo]=0%2C1&pwc[size]=undefined" width="100%"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/band-promotion/epk-electronic-press-kits?utm_campaign=a_features_rpk&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=HTML5_Player&utm_content=widgetfooter_Learn%20how%20to%20make%20a%20free%20Electronic%20Press%20Kit" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Learn how to make a free Electronic Press Kit</a></center>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-54444016172116132252013-03-15T20:41:00.000-05:002013-03-18T11:33:50.587-05:00revolutions & friday danceyowza... it's been a whirlwind couple of weeks.... <br />
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the first week of march, we celebrated paloma's 10 revolutions around the sun (and shortly thereafter, my 41 revs... ay caramba! yes, you have to say it like bart simpson...)<br />
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paloma asked for a studio ghibli/miyazaki birthday party/sleepover... she basically wanted to marathon movie watch and dance battle her friends on wii... we also planned to have a cake featuring miyazaki characters... (Haru & Baron from Cat Returns, Haku and Chihiro from Spirited Away, Howl and Sophie from Howl's Moving Castle, Totoro, Satsuki & Mei from My Neighbor Totoro)<br />
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(no, i didn't cut the cake with my rotary cutter, sassycrackers...) O_o<br />
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and paloma also kept asking if i could make her <a href="http://ojamajodoremidokkan.deviantart.com/art/Cat-Returns-Princess-Haru-24692995" target="_blank">this dress</a> from The Cat Returns. <br />
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*insert boisterous laugh track here* (although, <a href="http://www.cosplay.com/costume/326475/" target="_blank">this cosplay of Haru is OFF THE CHAIN</a>. holla!)<br />
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eventually, we settled on me making a totoro t-shirt with a pale yellow tutu skirt inspired by that dress for her and matching skirts for her friends... *whew*<br />
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sadly, all of my grand pinning of miyazaki party ideas on pinterest (i love that that search actually yielded results! *fistbump* pinterest! ) failed, because i caught another Emperor Virus McSicklypants cold.... i finished making the shirt and skirt for paloma but i didn't get a chance to finish her friends' matching skirts... they're close though... all in all the young ladies seemed to enjoy themselves... evidence there was much rejoicing...<br />
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a few days later, i celebrated my birthday in chicago:<br />
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and then i flew out to new jersey to celebrate my bff, corey's birthday with her beautiful family:<br />
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corey also has the teensyest tinyest rice cooker i have seen.... ever... it looks like a toy!!</div>
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there were many highlights during the trip including getting lost in princeton... seriously, who knew we'd get lost on campus... </div>
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princeton is a lovely college town. i geeked out and saw <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=112+mercer+princeton+nj&aq=f&um=1&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl" target="_blank">einstein's house</a>... but i was too chicken to take a picture, since it's still a residence... there was signage everywhere exclaiming "Happy Pi Day!" and "Happy Birthday Albert!" clearly, corey and i were in very good piscean company...</div>
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we had breakfast at <a href="http://pancakes.com/" target="_blank">pj's pancake house</a> and lunch at <a href="http://www.triumphbrewing.com/princeton/" target="_blank">triumph brewing</a> and checked out a bunch of local shops... and then we caught "<a href="http://silverliningsplaybookmovie.com/" target="_blank">silver linings playbook</a>" at the <a href="http://www.thegardentheatre.com/" target="_blank">princeton garden theatre</a>. it's a lovely theatre with a very friendly staff. and i highly recommend watching that movie... it was SOOOO GOOOD!!!!! :')</div>
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we stayed at the <a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1440" target="_blank">westin princeton at forrestal village</a>... where they surprised us with complimentary drinks in their latitude lounge and we found this when we got to our room!</div>
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then, we capped off our birthday weekend with massages and facials... it was a short but very sweet visit... corey said she hadn't laughed as hard as she had in a very long time... best. compliment. evar!!! :)</div>
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ennyhoo... hopefully, i'll finish the remainder of the birthday skirts and i'll update this post with pics of them all together... :) </div>
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i saw these amazeballs dance videos on my birthday - so you've prolly already seen them elsewhere, but they're so great - you won't mind seeing them again... and again... :)</div>
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i love that in this video, some of the dancers are *airquotes* RETIRED *airquotes*... bwahaha....</div>
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oooo... this video just makes me wanna break out all my 80s pastels.... *doublesnaps*</div>
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thanks for coming by and reading, i hope march is treating you well, weather notwithstanding.... :)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-63444214334305402252013-03-05T12:48:00.001-06:002013-03-06T09:52:53.443-06:00facebook fast - update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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so, it's been almost three weeks since i started my facebook fast... and it's been a tough go of it... facebook may have it's warts but for me and my family and friends who now live in different time zones and continents, it really is a wonderful way to stay in touch, even if it is only through a status update... personally, i find some status updates truly intimate and genuine...<br />
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anyway, i'm glad that i've been able to keep my lenten sacrifice so far... i tell you this now, because tomorrow is my birthday and i will most likely break it... i just think if people take time to send you good wishes, the least you can do is thank them....<br />
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i have definitely noticed in the past three weeks that i'm my more observant self. i have re-opened my eyes to the world around me that was often obscured by my phone and my facebook wall...<br />
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although, i've failed thus far to write any letters, i have blogged more and have read more and am still planning on writing letters.... one of the hidden gifts of being more observant is how something mundane or coincidental will rush memories of someone and bring them to the present and the need to communicate with them becomes a priority... i've also noticed that i've struck up conversations with complete strangers more often than before. and they've been very funny and productive interactions....<br />
<br />
not too recently, during one of our chicago snowstorms, i noticed an elderly man struggling to free his car from the middle of an unplowed intersection. eventually, after he'd managed to back up onto the street corner, i helped him to move his car and asked a couple of construction workers to help me. we released the car and the man waved weakly from his window. i bought my fellow helpers hot chocolates at the cafe. we joked a bit about the man and his mercedes and what could possibly be so important for him trek outside on a stormy day like that day. <br />
<br />
late in the afternoon, it was still snowing... and while tromping home thru snow with the kids from school, we spied a lovely old sewing table (sans machine & retrofitted with a new top). The metal legs were in very good condition and the pedal still moved the large wheel. i couldn't let the table languish in the alley, so i started to half drag/half carry the heavy table home... which was only a half block away...<br />
<br />
the two construction workers from the morning saw me. they came to my rescue this time, and carried the table the rest of the way home and up our front steps... i am so very thankful for and humbled by their generosity. it was a good day. i was thankful that i was present to help the man in his car and thankful i was present to see the sewing table.... :)<br />
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fwiw, these three weeks have been an excellent reminder of how absent i have been in other parts of my life... and that i should endeavor to balance my online life and my off line life... and be more present and observant in both....<br />
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chicago is currently hiding under a blanket of snow... she's quite pretty nonetheless.... i hope you are warm and safe wherever you are... thanks for coming by and reading... :)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KWmETxWM0h0" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-69304544253363794682013-03-04T16:31:00.000-06:002013-03-04T16:31:32.435-06:00read it: the girl who fell beneath fairyland and led the revels there<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13538708-the-girl-who-fell-beneath-fairyland-and-led-the-revels-there" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There (Fairyland, #2)" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1334547766m/13538708.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13538708-the-girl-who-fell-beneath-fairyland-and-led-the-revels-there">The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/338705.Catherynne_M_Valente">Catherynne M. Valente</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/523137422">2 of 5 stars</a><br />
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i'm surprised at how lukewarm i am about this sequel to "the girl who circumnavigated fairyland in a ship of her own making" - especially since i really enjoyed the first book...<br />
<br />
i didn't hate it. i was glad to see some familiar characters again...<br />
<br />
however, it was odd... i wasn't nearly as compelled to read this book as i was the first... it felt like i was involved in a poorly planned scavenger hunt...<br />
<br />
poor september seemingly goes from unresolved quest to unresolved quest with new character after new character... and is constantly unsure of herself... which seemed very out of character for her, considering the triumphant & bittersweet end of the first book... <br />
<br />
and speaking of completely out of character - what's up with maud? clearly, she was much more interesting when she mirrored the marquess - i would have preferred her like that the entire time.... <br />
<br />
and this book was much darker than the first... and generally i like dark, one of my favorite books is gaiman's bittersweet and somberly humorous, graveyard book. but this journey was dark and sad and seemingly without redemption.... which is fine, i guess.... i was just baffled that we'd traveled this arduous journey with september for so long on a very sad road and then *poof* everything's hunky dory.... ???<br />
<br />
i just think if you're gonna go the "empire strikes back" route... just go all the way with it... not sure why the story turned so fast at the end.... <br />
<br />
i did enjoy reading about the landscape and history of fairyland below... it is just as interesting if not more so than fairyland itself... the author is a master of describing that world and immersing/captivating the reader. <br />
<br />
fwiw, i'm still looking forward to the next fairyland book. i hope it's better than both of it's predecessors. :)
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<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4176968-mamazilla">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-90839473731572108222013-02-28T08:16:00.002-06:002013-02-28T12:34:42.494-06:00final - figgy's patterns - sciroccoclearly, all of <a href="http://mamazilla.blogspot.com/2013/02/wip-figgys-patterns-scirocco-pattern.html" target="_blank">my grand (delusions) plans</a> to document my progess on this garment have failed... since i finished the dress about a week ago... *sad trombone* i've also been really busy with work and paloma's birthday is this weekend.... lots of prep for the soon to be 10 year old's b'day party... (help.me.)<br />
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re: cutting...<br />
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i think i've mentioned before that cats do not make good pattern weights... you should believe me. (my) cats won't, but you should.... it took me about two hours to cut this out (cat notwithstanding), but only because i decided (*cough*forgot to buy lining*cough*) to have contrast panels and lining (see pink and peach fabrics)... </div>
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re: sewing...</div>
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this would probably be a challenging pattern even for an intermediate sewer, but if you just take it slow and read the directions, i think you'll find your way...<br />
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the trickiest part is definitely the bodice, where you turn the lining... again, if you follow the directions, you'll figure it out....<br />
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<span style="color: yellow;">"16. Right sides facing, align the inner shoulder seams and stitch. Press the seam open." </span>(then you pull the shoulder seams thru the opening at the waist and stitch the outer shoulder seams... this sounds more complicated than it is... really.)<br />
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<span style="color: yellow;">"18. Right sides facing, place the inner and outer shoulder seams on top of each other. Pin and stitch the remaining seam opening along the armhole and neckline, which avoids topstitching."</span><br />
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after the bodice, the skirt is a breeze, especially if you take my advice and notch the patterns so you know which one is which.... then, TA-DA!!! *insertsnoopydance* (not optional)<br />
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so, yeah.... i always forget how tall Paloma is.... it's more of a long flouncy shirt than a dress.... but, she loves it and that's all that matters to me.... i can't wait for summer so she can actually use it.... she spent the coooold chilly day in this outfit with a sweater and long socks... she dinna wanna take it off... :)</div>
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ennyhooo..... happy thursday! thanks for coming by and reading!! </div>
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<a href="http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/"><img height="245" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-crqXELlTkmE/T6WvpZmcG_I/AAAAAAAAEeU/tDT3MncDLAo/s512/Delightfully%2520Inspiring%2520Thursday%2520Party%2520copy.png" width="245" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/blog-link-party-with-the-steam-machine/" target="_blank">Somewhat Simple Thursday Link Party</a><br />
<a href="http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/02/transformation-thursday-no-193.html#more" target="_blank">The Shabby Creek Cottage Link Party</a><br />
<a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2013/02/27/hookin-up-with-hoh-137/" target="_blank">House of Hepworths Link Party</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-54899926926521386312013-02-14T09:18:00.000-06:002013-02-14T11:07:53.076-06:00happy valentines day!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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hee hee!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-67377940514625881622013-02-13T14:04:00.002-06:002013-02-13T14:04:45.395-06:00Battle of the Bamboo 2013Just got a heads up from <a href="http://fan-chicago.org/" target="_blank">FAN</a> that Battle of the Bamboo 2013 is this weekend! Sadly, I won't be able to attend and check out groups like this one from DePaul:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Fs2TpdmZLSc" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
my jaw drops (and my feet cramp) at the 4:00 mark.... GAH! I'M SO BUMMED TO MISS IT!!!! :(<br />
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so if you're in the area, and wanna get yo' pilipino on... you should really check it out:<br />
<br />
Battle of the Bamboo<br />
Saturday, 2/16<br />
5:30pm to 10 pm<br />
<br />
UIC Forum<br />
725 W Roosevelt Rd<br />
Chicago ILAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-25949848013279995812013-02-13T01:25:00.001-06:002013-02-13T01:25:21.593-06:00the facebook fast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sCwKNdaJD60/URs6z1_G4PI/AAAAAAAAB8c/uJa9fkJULDk/s1600/facebook+fast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sCwKNdaJD60/URs6z1_G4PI/AAAAAAAAB8c/uJa9fkJULDk/s200/facebook+fast.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
oh man....<br />
<br />
i can't take it back, it's already out there...<br />
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so, i stumbled upon and read <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2013/02/11/lent-is-about-jesus-a-free-devotional-guide/" target="_blank">this very reflective post</a> about Lent... and this quote kinda stuck:<br />
<br />
"...Lent isn't only about giving up things. It's also about adding things, God things..."<br />
<br />
*insertreflectiveandquizzicalpause*<br />
<br />
then this quote is followed by a short list of examples including - "Having given up on Facebook, to whom will you devote meaningful conversation?"<br />
<br />
which really got me thinking about the people i care about and the ways in which i choose to communicate with them and why i always choose facebook... for years and years and years, i happily wrote letters and drew and doodled with glee on envelopes... and then, i stopped... maybe i got too busy and too lazy... and then, i discovered facebook.... <br />
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so, i'm giving up facebook for lent and i'm going to (try to) write to someone every day.... maybe a blog post. maybe a post card. maybe a letter. maybe a note in a lunchbox. maybe a post-it at an ATM....<br />
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please wish me luck! (and please pray for me, if you pray...) no, really! i look forward to reading status updates and browsing photos from my friends and family who are so far away.... these next 40 days are going to be very challenging... :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-61365243788248667892013-02-11T10:14:00.002-06:002013-02-11T10:14:35.861-06:00wip - figgy's patterns - scirocco - pattern transfer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FUS6mnrBbsg/URkNNR9AMUI/AAAAAAAAB8I/D8-i3dwlqa4/s1600/02112013+001b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FUS6mnrBbsg/URkNNR9AMUI/AAAAAAAAB8I/D8-i3dwlqa4/s320/02112013+001b.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
so, here's a list of what i need to transfer patterns:<br />
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<a href="http://figgyspatterns.com/patterns/scirocco/" target="_blank">the original pattern</a><br />
<a href="http://www.uline.com/BL_1951/Kraft-Paper-Rolls" target="_blank">kraft paper</a><br />
<a href="http://www.joann.com/dritz-tracing-wheel-6-plastic-handle/prd10308/" target="_blank">tracing wheel</a><br />
<a href="http://www.joann.com/o-lipfa-ruler-with-lip-edge-4-x-36-/prd2860/" target="_blank">clear ruler</a><br />
<a href="http://www.joann.com/dritz-dura-heal-mat-large-24-x36-/prd2764/" target="_blank">cutting mat</a><br />
<a href="http://www.sanrio.com/home_school_office_school_office_pens_pencils/" target="_blank">hello kitty pencil</a> (not optional)<br />
glass of wine (optional)<br />
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not pictured:<br />
<a href="http://www.amapparelsupply.com/servlet/the-2463/Weight-Pattern-%26-Cloth/Detail?ref=lexity&_vs=google&_vm=productsearch&adtype=pla&gclid=CMvQ2KPPrrUCFYpDMgodNn0Aaw" target="_blank">pins/paperweight</a><br />
paper scissors<br />
hole punch<br />
metal shower curtain ring<br />
<a href="http://www.amapparelsupply.com/servlet/the-1004/Pattern-Making-NOTCHER-45N/Detail" target="_blank">pattern notcher</a><br />
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all in all it took me about 2 hours to transfer the pattern, including:</div>
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cutting the original pattern pieces out, </div>
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ironing and transferring the original patterns to kraft paper, </div>
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drinking wine, wrassling children to take showers, </div>
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connecting the dots, revising the length if necessary, and labeling the patterns in pencil, </div>
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cutting the patterns out, </div>
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drinking wine, wrassling kids to sit in time out, </div>
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punching holes <strike>in wall</strike> in the pattern and hanging on a shower ring.</div>
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the original figgy's patterns are pretty self explanatory. the only added instruction i would have is to use a pattern notcher to add notches to the skirt flounce and panel pieces - top flounce (1 notch) , middle flounce (2 notches), bottom flounce (3 notchesetc...) they're similar in size and shape and once you cut them out in fabric, it may be difficult to tell them apart.</div>
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next up... cutting your newly transferred patterns out of fabric! how exciting!!!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-66572798603264670442013-02-08T08:00:00.000-06:002013-02-08T08:08:58.211-06:00Lindy Hop Challenge - Day 8 - Friday DanceDay 8: Your favorite instructor.<br />
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it's funny, when i first read this, i thought of this <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/bdda/?rkgid=275668648&cpg=ogpla&source=google_pla&gclid=CKfju_n5pbUCFYk7MgodxGsA-w" target="_blank">dr. who t-shirt</a> - "you never forget your first doctor". if you're a dr. who fan, this probably rings true for you too... although i've become fond of the more recent regenerations of the doctor, especially <a href="http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/David_Tennant" target="_blank">david tennant</a>, <a href="http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Tom_Baker" target="_blank">tom baker</a> is still my first doctor. :)<br />
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ennyhoo, i think the same can be said of lindyhop teachers... i've said it numerous times before, but paul overton and sharon ashe are/was/always will be my favorite lindyhop instructors to learn "the basics". of course, i'm biased for sure, as paul and sharon taught me to lindyhop from day 1 (circa 1997) and started me on the long lindyhop journey i'm apparently still on... :) in addition to providing a strong dance foundation to build upon, they served as great role models for my short lived teaching career as well. i consider myself very blessed to call them my teachers as well as my friends....<br />
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swungover did a recent (well, for the very private paul & sharon anyway) interview with paul<a href="http://swungover.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/interview-with-paul-overton-of-paul-sharon/" target="_blank"> here</a>.<br />
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it's a shame that there aren't more publicly viewable videos of paul and sharon teaching.... here's <a href="http://www.kqed.org/w/bigband/dance/index.html" target="_blank">a teeny tiny short one</a>.... paul and sharon really exemplified to me, two dancers/teachers who genuinely loved dancing, teaching and lindyhop.... they had clearly been affected and deeply moved by those three things, and had seen the affect on others.... they danced and taught effortlessly - seemingly - but were also challenged and captivated by their students and by the transitive nature of the dance and the community...<br />
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they were always encouraging and supportive teachers without being enablers. although they offered to help students to improve, if you didn't improve by the time the month long class was complete, you did not move on to the next class. it was made quite clear to us students and the rule was enforced. too often, i meet students, who are lovely, energetic, positive people, but are in dance classes or levels far above their current skills. and too often, i hear it's because "business is business".... imho - moving a student up to make room for more students is not good for the student or the dance community...<br />
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sharon and paul's passion for lindyhop was also very contagious. san francisco's lindyhop scene was very lucky to have them as they often brought in the best teachers for workshops. they also continued to take lessons and teach new choreography that they had learned or new (old) dance variations - the madison, shag, balboa, etc... paul was always listening to music and challenging all of our perceptions and paradigms about lindyhop relative to music.<br />
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i think because their vision and philosophy (and popularity) grew they left the metronome ballroom and started the 9:20 special - where they taught and also hosted a dance event. they also started the oakland swing dance festival, if i remember correctly. at one point, after i began teaching, paul also hosted a private weekend intensive workshop with steven mitchell for teachers from the west coast including - meeshi, josie say, chad kubo, ken watanabe, virginie jensen, micah jacobsen, jason christodoulou and myself. at one point, i think we all thought we should stop dancing and teaching - steven was very critical of all of us... but, then we all worked together on our weaknesses as well as our strengths... it was an elevating weekend to say the least.... they worked with local bands to perform at dance events. they collaborated with other local lindyhop groups like the ncls to host events and workshops as well...<br />
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not sure if this was deliberate or not, but clearly they began to teach and inspire outside of the framework of the physical classroom... and soon because they were so open to the positive changes that they were causing, they were open to the ripples of change that were returning to them... and improving and challenging them.... much like lindyhop - a conversation between people - an exchanging of ideas.... hey, it's no wonder to me that the first lindy exchange happened in san francisco... :)<br />
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paul and sharon were tireless teachers... in addition to teaching at their venues, they traveled to other cities, domestic and internationally to teach, etc... they choreographed or performed a few times with groups that they created, etc... they were like planets in orbit, constantly moving... <br />
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paul and sharon have moved on to other professional careers and other cities and i can only hope that they look back on those years happily and satisfied with the fruits of their labors.... i hope they return to teaching and dancing lindyhop soon. i really think the community (ok, me especially...) could use their encouraging presence, creativity, vision and guidance again... :)<br />
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happy friday!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-9834029418232680872013-02-07T14:11:00.000-06:002013-02-07T14:12:36.139-06:00wip: figgy's patterns - scirocco<div>
just a few days ago, i found <strike>buried</strike> myself in the <a href="http://figgyspatterns.com/" target="_blank">figgy's patterns</a> box at <a href="http://www.theneedleshop.net/" target="_blank">the needle shop</a>. this <a href="http://figgyspatterns.com/patterns/scirocco/" target="_blank">scirocco pattern</a> immediately caught my <strike>old and barely working</strike> eye... ;)<br />
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<a href="http://figgyspatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Scirocco-Blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://figgyspatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Scirocco-Blog2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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on my way to the register, the remnant section's menacing tentacles grabbed me, refusing to let go until i harvested enough materials to appease it... really, it's not me, it's THE REMNANT SECTION... </div>
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dun duUN DUUUUUUUN!!!</div>
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actually, no. i have an addiction to remnant bins. i need an intervention...<br />
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although, to my credit - the only remnant i picked up was this orange chevron from dear stella:<br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTuVU_YSixtvRFLbAWPhMs69QRpWvDhC1sI4rRYOjP_ZaUGdWg4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTuVU_YSixtvRFLbAWPhMs69QRpWvDhC1sI4rRYOjP_ZaUGdWg4" /></a></div>
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i neglected to buy any lining (cuz i was soo happy!!!) luckily, i had some remnants at home (what? no kidding!? go figure....) that would suffice... <br />
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i'll document my little journey with this pattern over the next few days... for now, if you're thinking about starting a new project, the needle shop is having a sale on patterns - Use the code "BYEPATTERNS" and get 25% off!!!<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.theneedleshop.net/collections/patterns-by-designer" target="_blank">GO NOW!!!</a><br />
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happy thursday!!!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-77173108361990531642013-01-29T09:45:00.002-06:002013-01-30T22:37:21.948-06:00easiest knit cowl scarf evaAAARrrrr!!!<div>
so, i haven't taken up my knitting needles in a long time and that made me curious to see what one skein projects pinners were pinning on pinterest... *tries to say it, not spray it*</div>
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the night that i happened to browse, this was <a href="https://pinterest.com/pin/201325045814426073/" target="_blank">the most popular pin:</a> </div>
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i had size 13 circular needles, but not the hat sized length and i had one skein of caron brand, acrylic, 4 oz yarn and lion brand, fisherman's wool yarn, 6oz.</div>
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unlike <a href="http://www.knitandbake.com/2012/03/09/one-skein-one-night-seed-stitch-tall-cowl-easy-free-knitting-pattern/" target="_blank">knit and bake</a>'s directions, i cast on more than 49 stitches (my circular needles were longer). for the caron brand acrylic, i cast on 61 stitches. for the lion brand yarn, i cast on 71 instead (i was worried that this may not fit over my friend's big head...).</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-As7TXJ0acoc/UQfr3yBn3BI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/Fo2xtE1us4M/s1600/01292013+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-As7TXJ0acoc/UQfr3yBn3BI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/Fo2xtE1us4M/s320/01292013+015.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m6tG8M03m2o/UQfr4Ij7-EI/AAAAAAAAB7c/JjE5uzNV2vc/s1600/01292013+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m6tG8M03m2o/UQfr4Ij7-EI/AAAAAAAAB7c/JjE5uzNV2vc/s320/01292013+018.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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i really love how they turned out, and happily so did my friends who received them as gifts. </div>
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i'm very thankful to <a href="http://knitandbake.com/" target="_blank">knitandbake</a> for posting the easy instructions to this lovely project. if you just started knitting and would like to try circular needles, this is a great project! :) </div>
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really, you can do this!!!</div>
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thanks for coming by and reading! happy tuesday!</div>
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<a _mce_href="http://www.thetraintocrazy.com/make-it-wear-it/" href="http://www.thetraintocrazy.com/make-it-wear-it/" target="_blank"><img _mce_src="http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab308/thetraintocrazy/miwi-125-button.jpg" alt="125" border="0" src="http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab308/thetraintocrazy/miwi-125-button.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.livelaughrowe.com/"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z329/Kelly_Kuert-Rowe/Buttons/livelaughlinky_frame.png" /></a>
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3490174/?claim=7rqxnwqp2z8">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-63135051323076511072013-01-18T09:00:00.000-06:002013-01-18T09:00:08.336-06:00Lindy Hop Challenge - Day 7 - Dance FridayDay 7: Something you really want to learn<br />
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I really want to learn to lead. :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.dawnsbday.com/dawn.html">Dawn Hampton</a> leads <a href="http://www.stevenandvirginie.com/about_virginie.html">Virginie Jensen</a> and <a href="http://ilhc.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86:freda-segerdahl&catid=40:instructors&Itemid=85">Frida Segerdahl</a>:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/77MrmpTn5SE?list=PLF63E8D051C4BE683" width="420"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://www.emelieandrebecka.com/">Rebecka and Emelie Decavita</a>:<br />
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<a href="http://www.laurakeat.com/">Laura Keat</a> and <a href="http://johoffberg.com/">Jo Hoffberg</a>:<br />
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rare vintage social dance footage of women leading and following:<br />
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<a href="http://www.mikeandlauralindy.com/about-laura/">Laura Glaess</a> & <a href="https://www.facebook.com/swingjessica">Jessica Yoon</a>:<br />
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<a href="http://dance.ruby-red.com/">Ruby Red</a>:<br />
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i LURVES me some ladies leading lindyhop.... <br />
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*heavysigh* someday....<br />
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Happy Friday!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968063.post-11771251976406270482013-01-12T23:21:00.000-06:002013-01-12T23:21:43.315-06:00Lindy Hop Challenge - Day 6 - Friday DanceDay 6: Your favorite group dance (shim sham, tranky doo big apple, etc)<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shim_Sham">shim sham</a>. no contest. but then again, i'm (an) old (school dancer) and back in the day, the only group dance/jazz routines i learned were the shim sham, the jitterbug stroll, and the madison... in my own defense, i was limited of time and money.... <br />
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via <a href="http://www.frankiemanning.com/">Frankie</a> and <a href="http://pasadenaballroomdance.com/instructors/">Erin</a> -<br />
<span style="color: #1d1801; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 22.015625px;"><br /></span></span><object height="315" width="420"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bjfM4Wrj9UI?version=3&hl=en_US"></param>
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there is something very comforting (to me) in the knowledge that despite the language barriers, i can shim sham with groups of complete strangers, pretty much everywhere on the planet...<br />
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i would like to finally learn the big apple....<br />
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a more modern interpretation with <a href="http://ryanfrancois.com/RFX/Home.html"> ryan francois</a> and <a href="https://www.herrang.com/teachers/remy-kouakou"> remy kouakou kouame</a>:<br />
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lastly and not so secretly - i hope that the whole swing rueda thing comes back into vogue... (ha. snort.)<br />
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i hope you had a happy friday! (posting on saturday because yesterday was just a little crayzee....)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935187189766583381noreply@blogger.com0