New Blog!

Hello everyone! If you're thinking that this blog has been dreadfully neglected..........well, you'd be right. I've been busy with my new website, which is finally up and running @ www.umbrellaave.com and now I have a new blog address, as well! So join me @ www.umbrellaave.com/Blog to see new posts. I'll keep this one up so that you can peruse the "archives" of 2sewretro........but for updates visit me as I blog under a clear umbrella.

Thank you to all of my followers! :) I look forward to seeing you again.

Excited!

My best friend gave birth to her first child, a beautiful daughter, last night. I'm too excited right now and just had to post it. :) Congratulations to Rachel, her husband Robert, and their beautiful daughter, Ariana Lelde Elizabeth! My prayers for you and a blessed life.

I'm coming to visit you later! :)

And the winner is..........

Congratulations!!!!

Thank you to the three who entered! It was a small entry number, but it's only my first giveaway. :) You've got to start somewhere. ;-P

Enjoy the necklace, Jean!

New! ~ The Collar Necklace

You may remember, dear readers, that I mentioned an idea for a collar necklace in one of my past posts. Well, I made one! I've had this little guy done for a few weeks, but just haven't had the time or inspiration to post him until now.

I have a couple more in the works for the shoppe, but at the moment they're on hold while I finish a custom softie order. In the meantime, I'm giving this guy away! ( The necklace pictured is the prototype; you'll receive a new necklace made from the same fabrics. )

the contest rules are as follows:

1. Leave a comment, telling me your favorite color to wear = 1 entry

2. Become a fan on facebook and/or leave me a comment there! = 1 entry

3. Become a new follower of my blog and let me know via a comment = 1 entry

To sum it up: each person can submit up to 3 separate entries! The contest will run through the end of the month, at which time I will throw all of your names into a hat and blindly pick one! You'll be notified via email or facebook message, so if you don't leave a message on facebook, please include your email address with your comment here. Otherwise I will have no way to reach you, and the prize will go to the next name chosen from the hat.

Thanks to all & good luck! :)

Winter Wonderland 2010

I took a few quick snapshots before going to work on Tuesday. The trees looked so gorgeous that I couldn't resist! And boy am I glad that I got the photos when I did...........today is a wet, sloppy, dreary mess.

Inspirational - Portrait of an Artist from Etsy

My favorite design from Riordan's current line

Here's a new video that I found on Etsy today. I love the world of fashion and designers, so a little peek into this Etsian's line really intrigued me. I wish that I had the patience to draft adult sized patterns. I used to do it for my Kinder Cottage line for dolls, which were about the same size as a young child's clothing would be. But drafting patterns for full size people seems too monotonous......maybe someday I'll change my mind. I love the idea of every other process...... except made-to-order. I much prefer people to buy what I already have. Unless I'm able to make orders for different types of things. If I stick too much to one type of art, I get bored. why do I have to be so finicky? ;-)

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this glimpse into the life of an independent fashion designer. :)

Happy Photo

Found on Etsy; by LightFantastic

(One of my very FAVORITE Etsy photographers. And super sweet + helpful too!)

Perfect Breakfast

I made myself an omelet..........yummy. I love omelets, but only if they're done right. To me, that means sauteing chopped green pepper, mushroom, turkey lunch meat and a minuscule amount of onion in a skillet with butter. Then pour two beaten eggs over the top and add salt and pepper. I turn the heat down to low and put a lid on top so that everything gets evenly cooked. I've learned that this is the secret to a perfect omelet {at least my idea of one}. Once it's cooked through, I add little daubs of cream cheese in various places and roll the omelet up. I paired this one with a sliced kiwi and English muffin. I wish I could eat this right now!

Etsy Portrait of an Artist

Take a peek at this great video from Etsy. Dottie Angel is one of my very favorite Etsians and bloggers..........love her house, style and art. :) I hope you enjoy this little peek into her life as much as I have. And if you do......check out her blog and shoppe:

BLOG
SHOPPE

Kringla, a holiday tradition

My favorite Christmas treat is definitely Norwegian Kringla. My grandma used to make them at Christmas, as did my great aunts, Thelma and Dolores. This is their recipe.

1 c. sour cream
1 c. buttermilk
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. vegetable oil
3-5 c. white flour


Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Mix sour cream and buttermilk together and let sit at room temperature for 1/2 hour or longer. The longer you let it sit, the more "sour" it will be...........which sounds nasty, but it's a good thing with kringla! Mix remaining ingredients into sour cream mixture, one at a time, ending with the flour, one cup at at a time until no longer sticky. {Last year I worked really hard to get my batter unsticky, but I wasn't as picky this year and it resulted in a fluffier kringla. So don't stress. As long as the batter isn't too frustrating to work with, there's enough flour}

On floured surface {I use a dish towel, covered moderately in flour and weighted down by two big glasses. I'm sure there's a better way to do this, like buying a pastry cloth, etc., but I have yet to do so}, roll dough into thick pencil shapes and twist into a figure 8. {I roll my logs first and then pinch the ends together to form a circle. After that, you can just twist, and wha-la! A perfect figure 8.}













Bake on a parchment lined cookie pan until the bottoms are light brown, but the top remains white. Approx. 10 min.








Enjoy! Yum, yum! :D
Yields: approx 4 dozen

ModCloth Ensemble 12/13

Top: Present Moment top
Cardigan: Architectural Walking Tour Cardigan
Pants: Show Promoter Jeans
Accessories: Circle Scarf of Life, Head in the Stars Hat, Cold Snap Mittens
Shoes: Pefect Photo Op Flat

ModCloth Picks -- Holiday Festivities

I have two modcloth ensembles for you today! These would be so fun for a holiday party. :) Enjoy!

Winter Wonderland Ensemble

Dress: Loved and Adorned Dress

Coat: So Sumptuous Coat

Accessories: Unending Angles Tights, Warm Reception Boot, Got It Braid Bag, Lots of Glove For You, and A Modern Fascinator

Merry and Bright Ensemble

Dress:Down the Block Dress
Coat: Hit the Rose Coat
Accessories: Double Black Diamond Tights, The Eye-catching Heel, Purple Plumage Clutch, Lots of Luxe Gloves, and Fall Market Scarf

Gift

My friend, Sasha, gave me this perfect little clutch for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. Of course, she made it! I just love everything about it: my favorite color, felt, velvet leaves, vintage button and pretty lining. It was wrapped beautifully, too. I only wish I had a photo.

Sasha is the best at wrapping gifts in a pretty and unique way, with a vintage twist.

These photos aren't the best, as I snapped them quickly upon arriving to work this morning. But you get the picture.

Thanks so much, Sasha! :D

ModCloth Picks

I decided to do something a bit different for my ModCloth picks today. I chose favorites from the new additions and made an entire outfit. :)

Top: Fleet of Foxes Tunic - New Today
Bottoms: On the Fast Track Pants - Old stock
Shoes: Gentlewoman Chic Flat - Old stock
Accessories: Leaf Catching Scarf & Red Earmuffs found online
Coat: Warmth and Cheer Coat

ModCloth Picks of the Day 12/3

Dresses: Friend Me Dress
I love this shirt dress! ModCloth does such a cool job of naming their clothing, giving you the feeling that you know JUST where and how to wear the piece before you even have it in your hands. They create a whole mood, which I'm really drawn to.

ModCloth quote:
"Do you know how many people will want to join your friend network when they get a taste of your amicable personality and super style, as highlighted by this off-white babydoll dress from French designer 2Two? Pretty much everyone! Your charm will shine resplendently through this frock's freckled stripes, cuff-ready sleeves, cleverly piped front, and buttoned placket and collar. So, connect it with a vintage slip, thigh-high ribbed socks, and whiskey brown booties, and you'll find your inbox brimming with friend requests"

I love the fabric on this one, as well as the rounded hem and little details.








Tops: Every Way But Up Top
Very unique and sloppy chic!





Bottoms: Here We Tango Skirt
This one is from yesterday, but I didn't see it, so it's going here. It's a little over frilly for me, but would be cute with the right pairing.

Shoes: Traipsing About Town Wedge
Just cool!

Winter Tea Drink

I bought a ceramic cup with a silicone lid at Pamida on Sunday. I've been on the lookout for one to bring with me to work. I hate bringing my own cup, water and tea and making it in the microwave here. I'm glad that I can, but this is so much easier! Now I just boil a pot of water in the morning and take the tea with me.

This morning I made a new recipe and I thought I'd share it with you, as it turned out so well. :)

Boil 2 cups of water and pour over 1 earl grey tea bag in cup. Add a splash of almond flavoring and stir in 1 teaspoon of agave nectar. Enjoy! You can use honey instead of agave nectar, but I recommend the former, as it adds a bit more flavor and "coffee drink" appeal.

Fun Trend

Have you seen those funky pieces of jewelry out there? The ones made with discarded silverware? I love them!

Spoon Ring by SilverSpoonDesigns





Fork Bracelet by MarchelloArt



Monogrammed Vintage Spoon Bracelet by BentSpoonJewelry

Amazing fork cuff by forkwhisperer




Another beautiful spoon ring, this one by goorsendjewelry

Spoon Earrings by jjevensen

Jingle BellZ Knife Necklace by SpoonerZ

Wonderful Treasury on Etsy!

This is my favorite front page treasury they've had in a while. The retro forest theme is so cute and refreshing. :D

ModCloth Picks of the Day 12/1

Happy December everyone! I can't believe how quickly November has come and gone.........whew! Some days I wish time would just slow down a bit.

For the Modcloth Picks of the Day......................

Dresses: Full Steed Ahead Dress
There were some good contenders, such as Fallen in Love, Pointed Petal, Nothing Cuter than Pewter, and Plum-diddly-umptious.......but this is my favorite. Mostly because of the styling and unique skirt. I fall too easily for unique skirts. ;-) I find it interesting that so many new outfits incorporate horses of some kind into the fabrics............I wonder what is prompting that?

Tops: Favorite Quote Cardigan
Nouveau Noir Top almost won this round, but I am in a cardigan mood. :) The print on this one really got me, too. I reminds me of a top that Casey Mcdonald wore in the opening credits of Life With Derek. Yes, I love that show. ;-)

Bottoms: Dear and Driven Skirt
Slim pickings in this category again.......but this is as good as it gets.

Shoes: Flawless Taste Heel
Another immediate winner for me! *love*

ModCloth Picks

Okay, it's about time for another ModCloth Picks of the Day, right? So here they are!

Dresses: Ombre Skies Dress
There were several nice dresses to choose from today, but I picked this one because it's cold out and I'm in the mood for a good sweater dress with cowl neck. :)

Tops: Anything but Basic Cardigan
Again, there was some good competition in this category, but I love a basic cardigan, especially with those sleeves, ribbing, buttons and the soft, creamy color.









Bottoms: Blizzard Conditions Shorts
I wouldn't wear these, unless with some nice tights. And even then, I doubt I'd go for it. But they would look cute with the above cardigan.

Shoes: Chuckoo Booties
Even if there were more than two pairs to choose from today, I would still pick these. Perfection.





While I'm on the topic of shoes, I have been admiring these for a while and I found them again by clicking the designer link in the description for the above booties. Most of the shoes made by Seychelles are pretty cute. :)