A Dose of the Delightful

Second Sewing Month Project: Upcycle Sheets into PJs

Okay, so it's not National Sewing Month anymore - not even close! But I'm determined to finish my original list of projects:

• Creating throw & lumbar pillows with piping & invisible zippers
• Finishing a set of pajamas I'm making out of old sheets (how Sound of Music of me!) and thisfree Colette bloomers pattern
• Creating some fun drawstring bags using this free pattern from Purl Bee - I'd add a waterproof lining.
• Trying out at least one of Colette's fall clothing patterns once they're available (coming in the next few weeks!)

Now I've done 2 out of 4! Next on the list is pillows.

A few years ago, my mom was doing some spring cleaning and preparing several bags of goods for donation. I saw some seldom-used flowered sheets and decided to pull a Maria Von Trappe and turn them into pajamas.

I made the top using this easy Simplicity pajama pattern, and wanted to try out this free Colette Madeleine mini bloomers pattern for the bottoms.

I have to admit, I was pretty daunted - I'd never done anything like making my own elastic casings or even making a buttonhole! I learned a lot with this project, and I can't wait to apply my new skills again. Here are the results - not too bad, if I say so myself!

I do, actually, have two arms! The other one is out of sight of the mirror I used to take this.

A couple of notes on some adjustments I made: I thought having the ties in the front of the legs was a bit too baby-doll for my taste, so I moved them to the sides of each leg.

Also, every pattern review says these bloomers are extremely low in the waist and super short - and they were all right! Next time, I'll cut the pattern an inch higher in the waist and 1.5 in longer. For Step 3 on the Leg Openings page of the pattern, you're supposed to fold the 1.5 in of the leg opening hem over and then create two rows of stitching for a casing.

I felt if I had folded the hem over, these would have been unwearably short, so I cut out two strips of fabric and used that to create the casing on the bottom inside of each leg.

I love that I was able to give new life to these old sheets - have you ever upcycled used textiles into something new?

Currently Delighted By: Hellomellow Balance Body Butter

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month - a fantastic cause, to be sure. But I get really worked up when I see companies selling products plastered with pink ribbons which contain products actually linked to breast cancer. Instead of riding the pink wave, why don't these companies make an even bigger gesture by coming up with new formulations that don't include carcinogenic chemicals?

This recent comprehensive study, widely publicized in the media, found that 99% of tumor tissue contained at least one paraben, and 60% contained no less than five parabens. It's like our bodies are trying to bundle up these icky chemicals and get them out of our healthy tissue.

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but walking through the drugstore is like negotiating your way around a minefield of parabens and other harmful synthetics like phthalates and PEGs. Parabens might be listed on a product label as 'methylparaben,' 'propylparaben' (basically anything ending in paraben) or a whole host of other names you can read here.

Enter Hellomellow. It doesn't have ANY of that synthetic, unsafe junk. Its only ingredients: avocado butter, mango butter, and essential oils. 

I've been using it for about a week now, and it's easily the best body butter I've ever used. It's insanely moisturizing - and long-lasting to boot. It even lasts through hand washes!

I also tend to get rough bumpy patches on my upper arms when it gets cooler - and after a week of using Hellomellow, I can honestly say they're gone. 

The cherry on top? This stuff smells unbelievable.

This month, Hellomellow has teamed up with Boarding 4 Breast Cancer, a youth-focused breast cancer education & prevention foundation. B4BC has a wonderful Survivorship Fund that connects breast cancer survivors with nature-based wellness experiences that enhance their path of healing and long-term survivorship. I just love this idea - it's fantastic that B4BC is interested in going beyond medicine and emphasizing the importance of truly whole living.

Hellomellow will be donating 5% of proceeds from their Balance scent products to the B4BC Survivorship Fund...so you can smell good AND feel good (plus your skin will literally feel good)!

Sneak Peek: Zara Home Launches Online October 9th!

Just like their US online clothing store, Zara's online home store seems to be pretty hotly anticipated. Until now, we've only been able to longingly peruse the UK site.

The online shop launches fully October 9th, but until then, you can shop the online preview!

Zara hosted a lovely event last night here in NYC to celebrate the launch. The event was held at Studio 450, which provided an ultra-clean, minimalist backdrop in which to present the line. There was tons of texture, from cable-knit blankets to whitework to lace, and lots of elegant, neutral shades, and muted color. My good friend Liz and I dropped by; here are some shots from the evening!

Pretty golden drip effect on this porcelain teacup:

In the center of the room, a long dining table was set with glassware and tons of mercury glass accessories.

Bed presentations highlighted overlapping textures, like this lace quilt and openwork blanket.

There was a live band upstairs, and we actually knew the singer on the left! Our friend and fellow college alumnus T is a talented singer and songwriter. Running into people unexpectedly in New York is (usually!) a fun treat.

These two perused the online shop with an eagle eye:

And here are some product images from the line:

What do you think of the sneak preview - can't wait to shop it, or not your style?

I've been browsing and plan on rounding up my favorite picks soon! 

Crafty People United: Maker Faire 2012

This past weekend, I got a chance to visit Maker Faire for the very first time. How did I not know about it until this year? I was definitely in my happy place as I walked around the grounds, taking in the both fantastical and practical creations Faire-goers made. There were plenty of interesting how-tos, including a session on how to solder that I'm bummed I missed, demos of new and interesting products, group craft sessions, and fascinating lectures. Here are a few shots from the day - enjoy!

Kollabora's booth proclaims "We Are What We Make" - have you guys heard of Kollabora? I hadn't until this weekend and was excited to discover it. It's a social platform for DIYers and has all kinds of cool tutorials, sewing patterns, and a craft store.

This colors on this couple were so bright and complementary!

 A row of tents houses stall after stall of handmade goods.

Another discovery I was excited about: Mondays Projects. These three Brooklynite ladies meet in their ceramics studio on Mondays and create this beautiful, organic pottery.

Homemade bunting put a crafty touch on temporary fences. 

 This woman explained how spinning works as she sat working at a spindle.

These letterpress baseball cards by Left Field Cards were hilarious! The ones below were a series of Marvelous Moustaches. My favorite? Definitely the Magnum.

Fifty Five Hi's makes funny & inspiring prints, posters, cards & wallpapers.

Mochimochi Land showcased some of the super cute little guys you can make with their kits.

 These girls tried their hand at off-the-cuff sewing at the Improv Sewing booth. 

 The Textile Arts Center showed people the art of shibori (textile dyeing) and weaving on a loom. 

 The Faire grounds, punctuated by two rockets.

I'll definitely be heading back to the Maker Faire next year! This was a great activity for families, too - there were plenty of kid-focused crafts, plus lots of delicious food trucks.