Isn't It Lovely?

I'm not sure if you know it-but there are some new ladies in town and man are they saucy! Maureen and Katie of Sew Lovely Embroidery make fabulous patterns with amazing detail. Did I mention that they are the sweetest? Check them out!

Tell me about Sew Lovely Embroidery?
Sew Lovely Embroidery began on a whim one summer day in 2009. After embroidering for months with other iron on patterns, we wanted to embroider something more detailed! After one crazy night of brainstorming and epiphanies, Sew Lovely began. We wrote down hundreds of ideas for patterns and possible business names and began the next day researching and sketching designs. Once we saw our first pattern in print (Pin-ups) we knew that this was what we wanted to do! We currently juggle our day jobs and Sew Lovely during the day and into the wee hours of the night. Maureen spends hours sketching and inking the designs and I spend my time researching and brainstorming new ideas and of course embroidering! Someday we hope to do this full time, and create a few patterns a month. We are so happy to be doing what we love, and hope you love what we are doing!

What inspires you?
Over the summer we went camping almost every weekend, being out in nature and away from everything inspired us to make this all happen. The ideas just kept pouring out of us! Sitting by the pool and river, stitching up all afternoon without a care in the world are the fondest memories of the beginning of sew lovely. We get inspiration from all things vintage! We get so much motivation from the flickr embroidery pool and the craft community in general. Seeing so many great projects and tutorials every day, makes us want to create more and more! It’s so exciting to see everyone in the craft community constantly creating new and different things, and the best part is everyone is SO nice and supportive (especially you and Jacquie from Mafiosagrrl, we love ya) ! Everyday we wake up and think, what’s next?

 

 

What does the future hold?
More patterns! Hopefully a stitching book! We are figuring out the best way to do custom patterns, we want people to be able to stitch anything that their heart desires!  We dream of opening up a stitching store someday in our favorite neighborhood in San Francisco, filled with walls and walls of thread and hoops and stitching everywhere! Here are a few custom examples that we did, this was for granny, she loves Frank and Ella and so do we!

Any words of wisdom for the fans out there?

Don’t ever think a project is too hard for you! Just go for it! The possibilities are endless with thread. Stitching is so fun and you can learn how to do anything. Also, if you find something you love to do, never give it up! If you keep trying you can make it happen.

Do you have a blog or website?
Yes, our etsy is SewLovelyEmbroidery.etsy.com and we just started to blog on sewlovelyembroidery.blogspot.com!

 

 

Bonus Question?
Favorite pin up?
Maureen~I love Candy! Who doesn’t!!!
Katy~ Daphne! The lines are so simple yet elegant. She looks so dreamy!


EEEP! Pin ups! Are they not the cutest ever? Maureen and Katy are so inspiring! I wish them the best of luck and next time I'm in San Francisco-we are so going out for cocktails! 

Love is in the Air.....

 

Awww yeah...it's that time of year again. Time for a little lovin'. You want to make your special friend a little dinner, bring on a little romance and dazzle them with a sexy, saucy cocktail. Well never fear you little love bunnies. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve that will have them eating out of your hand and begging for more.

This drink will make your date giggle like a school girl (which might be a little creepy if your a husky male.) I can't resist the name or champagne.

Pink Flirtini
1 oz.  Raspberry Vodka
2 oz. Champagne
2 oz. Pineapple Juice
Combine vodka, Champagne, and pineapple juice in a highball or collins glass filled with ice.

Say you're having trouble even GETTING a date. Well, mix this one up at your next party and you are guaranteed a little smooching under the moonlight.

Love Potion #9
1 oz strawberry, vanilla or clear vodka
1/2 oz white crème de cacao
1/2 cup ice
scoop of vanilla ice cream
Pour the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If the mix is too thick, add berries or milk; too thin, add ice or ice cream.

So, you've won them over and wedding bells are ringing. What a better way to celebrate than with a little cake.  (For the record-this sounds a little vile to me, but  I'm sure someone out there will love it-they say it taste like wedding cake-I'll take their word for it.)

Wedding Cake Cocktail

3/4 oz gin
3/4 oz Amaretto
1/4 oz orange juice
1/4 oz pineapple juice
1/4 oz cream

Blend ingredients with ice, and serve in a highball glass. 

 Now, aren't you feeling all warm and fuzzy on the inside? That's not love my friends, that the alcohol talking to you. So, get your liquid courage, tell that special someone how much you love them and enjoy cupid's arrow hitting ya in the tocks!  Bottoms up~

How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count The Ways.

AH... Valentine's Day! A day that you either want to give everyone some smooches or throw them off a 10 story building. Whether you love or hate the day-I found a few movies that will put you in the mood and a smile on your face.

Now let's get one thing straight. I am NOT a fan of the romance movie. Especially the romantic comedy. They pain me to no end and every time a new one comes out, my soul dies a little. That being said. There is one that touched my heart and made me want to find my own Lloyd Dobler. Say Anything is a romance comedy that will have you begging for more. John Cusack plays a quirky high school graduate who falls for the smart chick. The soundtrack is AMAZING. What girl did not want to have their favorite guy stand outside their window playing Peter Gabriel's In Your Eyes. Melt-absolutely melt!

Another one of my all time favorites, that is now considered a classic piece of comedy, is Bull Durham. I'm not just saying this because it was filmed in my hometown, or because the story has a strong, smart & sexy leading lady in Susan Saradon, but due to the comedic young Tim Robbins and his singing about women getting wooly. If that doesn't make you laugh then you may want to check your pulse. This movie will make you have a new appreciation for baseball as well as the romantic comedy.

The last movie on my list is not a comedy but is definitely romantic. Breakfast at Tiffany's is an absolutely beautiful film. The sets, the costumes, the music- it all swirls around the magnificent Aundrey Hepburn playing the delightful Holly Golightly. The story involves two lost souls who find each other in the midst of finding themselves. And the young George Peppard is really easy on the eyes also.

Now, aren't you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside? Don't you feel loved? Do you have a cavity yet from all the sweetness? If the answers to all three questions are yes-then my job is done here.

Feel Good Friday!

It's a little late in the day but it's never too late for a little Feel Good Friday! The sun is shining here in Portland and it feels like spring. It's just perfect!

Since it was so perfect today, We decided to take the pups for a walk. This is why I drink......


And the actual  walk....

 

LOVE this piece from Mary's Grandaughter. It is so eerie and yet so beautiful. Such a great idea. 

I am in love with Vintage Magpie. I knew from the minute I saw the blog entries about puppies that I couldn't go wrong.

 

I am dying to stitch something up from Follow the White Bunny. Her patterns are adorable! 

 

This is Jake, half chi chi, half pug. So ugly, he's cute! 

For those in the US, this weekend is the Super Bowl, which to be honest, I don't care about BUT the exciting news is it's also the PUPPY BOWL! Animal Planet plays the Puppy Bowl at the same time and it is much more exciting and way cuter. Don't forget to watch the kitten half time show!

Now, don't you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? I know I do! I need a nap after the walk with the dogs, and maybe some cheesecake and a cocktail. Have a great weekend!

What's Cookin'?

For some reason I have a ton of vintage patterns that involve food and the kitchen, I think I might be a little obsessed!

 

This sweet girl is just too cute for words. I love her shoes. Unfortunately the pattern was very worn and was cut off at the bottom.

 

I don't know which is better, the mustache or the egg's surprised look about the sausage ;)

Is it just me or does he look like he's wearing sausage pants?

Bon appetit!

Tie One On Tuesday!

You guys bring out the animal in me! ROAR! Okay, that sounded better in my head then it does typing it out on my keyboard. Now I just feel creepy and weird-like a 40 year old man standing on the corner in a boy scout outfit. This week's Tie One On Tuesday is all about animal cocktails. Now, I'm not talking about drinks with animals in them or even animals mixing cocktails (I haven't perfected the dogs mixing my drinks yet, the no thumbs kind of get in the way). I'm talking about cocktails with animal names.

First up in our cocktail zoo is The Pink Squirrel
1 oz creme de noyaux
1 tbsp white creme de cacao
1 tbsp light cream
Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.

Next on our zoo cruise is the Funky Monkey-a few of these you will be dancing on tables and throwing things at people who are staring at you.
1 oz gold rum
1 oz creme de bananes
5/8 oz dark creme de cacao
3 oz coconut milk
1 banana
coconut flakes
Blend with ice until smooth. Pour into a hurricane glass and garnish with coconut flakes.

Ouch! What just bit me? Oh, that's just the Barking Spider! This drink packs a punch!
1 1/2 oz Tequila
1 1/2 oz Blue Curacao liqueur
3/4 oz 151 rum
1 dash triple sec
1 dash sweet and sour mix
1 splash orange juice
Serve over ice in a collins glass, or blend for a frozen version of this drink.

These animal cocktails are like nothing Noah encountered. If you drink a pair of these babies, you will definitely be seeing pink elephants!

It's Gonna Be a Slobberknocker!

I love wrestling, more importantly I love vintage wrestling and Lucha Libre. Nothing gets out my aggression more than yelling at the TV while my favorite wrestler puts their best high flying move on the bad guy. As much as I love wrestling on TV, wrestlers in movie are even better. Now I'm not talking about today's wrestling heroes-I'm talking those lovely ladies of yesteryear. Those beautiful bombshells who ruled the square circle!

Racket Girls also known as Blonde Pickup and  Pin Down Girl is at the top of my female wrestler list. This 1951 campy favorite stars real life wrestlers Peaches Page, Clara Mortensen (world champion wrestler), and Rita Martinez (champion of Mexico). A wrestling manager also dabbles a little bit in drugs, prostitution and bookmaking. He double-crosses a mob boss and is on the run from the mafia and from the police. Great wrestling footage makes for excellent filler in the high flying, low class film.

Next up is brought to us by our neighbors to the south. Las luchadoras contra la momia (Wrestling Women vs. the Aztec Mummy) is one in a series of three with the lovely luchadoras of Mexican wrestling.These lady wrestlers fight a scary mummy who can turn into a bat or a snake, an evil prince and a group of Asian female wrestlers and they do it with perfect hair and curves that cause a 16 car pile up.

Round three is a little bit more modern than the other two but can still be considered a classic. All the Marbles stars Peter Faulk as a manager of the California dolls, a tag team touring across the United States. The movie centers around the adventures of the incredibly attractive wrestlers and their sleazy, yet lovable manager.

So, ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE? LET ME SEE YOUR WRESTLING FACE! ARGH! Now head on down to the ring and get your figure four leg lock around these body slamming pile driver movie hits! You will not be disappointed!

Feel Good Friday!

You can purchase this beautiful print at 3LambGraphics.

Ah Friday-how I miss you. It seems like forever since we last saw eachother. You bring such joy to my life. Mmmmm...you make me happy! Now that I'm in a good mood so early in the morning-let's see what I can do for you.

I have the worst sweet tooth. I have not met a cupcake that I do love. Throw some candy my way and I will be your best friend for life. When my friend Kelsey showed me Bakerella, I felt like  died and went to heaven. It's like this website was made for me. Red Velvet cupcake pops-are you kidding me? I HAVE to make them or better yet,have someone make them for me. Her recipes are simple and easy to follow and yet look professional and I'm sure taste divine.

 

I love the swing of her bag and her shoes are so cute. Laura Amiss is so talented. 

Usually I try to stay away from big stores or corporations. I've tried but I could never give up Target, I've tried and it just doesn't work-don't judge. That being said, William Sonoma has the most darling cookie cutters that I can't pass up and as and added bonus-they are fairly cheap. I love that I can make my sweetie an personal message with the letters. It's like a big conversation heart. 

I love disapproving bunnies.

Okay all you wonderful readers! Go forth and enjoy your weekend! You've got blogs to read, cupcakes to cook, cookies to decorate and bunnies that disapprove! Enjoy!

If you are not happy here and now, you never will be.  ~Taisen Deshimaru

Puppers!

I could not resist these cute little guys! They are just too adorable. 

 

  

 

Hanging Out with a Misfit

When I first met digital misfit, she pm'd me on Crafster about offering up some of my embroidery for a charity quilt. I couldn't refuse to help out a fellow Craftster and friendship soon ensued. This girl has got some moxy! I love her quick wit! I know when I see a pm or email from her I will be rolling off my chair laughing.


Who is digital misfit and what is she all about?
Digital Misfit is someone different every day (or sometimes many times in one day).  She ... ahhh screw it, I can't talk about myself in the thrid person.  Too weird.
I am just ordinary, with all of the strange little idiosyncrasies that all ordinary people have.  I swing back and forth between right brain and left brain, so one day I may be having a creative burst and craft like mad, and then I will be Ms. Logical and try to organize my supplies because I am uninspired.
I am a hermit.  No, really.  I am a bona fide agoraphobe who rarely leaves the house.  On the bright side, I have plenty of time for crafting, surfing Craftster, and I can shop on Etsy.  Plus people expect artsy types to be a bit nutty.

You work in so many different mediums, what's your favorite?
I don't have a favorite craft medium.  I CAN'T stick with one type of craft.  I become bored and distracted.  Each medium has its advantages and disadvantages for my AADD (art attention deficit disorder).
Embroidery rocks because I can do it in bed or while watching tv.  Changing the style of a pattern by choosing offbeat threads makes it interesting.  Plus the design possibilities are infinite.
Papercrafting/mixed media assemblage art rocks because I get to pull out ALL the junk and just have at it.  I have a constant ring of gesso and/or ink around my cuticles from fingerpainting and stamping.
Dollmaking...well...the fun part od dollmaking is the planning and finished product.  I really hate stuffing and jointing dolls, and some of the other mundane tasks that go along with them.
I would love to learn to spin yarn, knit /crochet, and sew clothing.

What kind of advice would you give the masses?
Don't be afraid to try new things.  Sucking at a new craft is not so bad.  It can be intimidating to see so many amazing projects posted online. Just try. My first attempts at many crafts were BAD (some still are), but I was able to get a feel for it, and decide if it is something I want to pursue further.  Some of my embroidered pieces look like a cat puked up a hairball on the back.  Others are neat as a pin. I am still learning, but hey, it's art, not science.  I do it my way :P

What inspires you?
As an artist, I am always inspired by the work shown in my fave online communities (Craftster, Etsy, Mr. X-Stitch, Feeling Stitchy, CraftGossip, etc etc etc).  I am inspired by work that shows that the artist truly loves what they do.
I love having crafty friends online from whom I can bounce ideas and get creative input. I don't think I have made a single project in over a year without passing WIP pics over to Deana (aka AlwaysInspired).  I don't have any crafty people in my offline life, so this kind of support and friendship is invaluable and so appreciated.
As a person, I am inspired by stories of people overcoming adversity, communities reaching out to help others, and the simple beauty of nature.

 What's your next adventure?
More of the same, but in different flavors!
Plus I need to figure out how to alter my newest family member.  She is a 5'11" beauty with legs a mile long (makes up for not having arms).  I am 5'4", so I already think she is a bit of a bitch. She is tough as nails (and made of the same stuff as them too!). I think she is going to be a political art piece in support of women, though I may still dress her up from time to time.

Bonus Question!
You just got a new mannequin, have you named her yet?
As much as I wanted to name her Otrera, after the first Amazon queen, she has insisted that her name is Lola.  After some research turned up that Lola means "strong woman", I have had to agree.
So Lola it is.  She is standing tall next to me now, wearing my sunglasses, hat, and a hot pink tape measure around her neck.

Isn't digial misfit great? She can put a smile on my face and have me cackling in a matter of minutes. She has got mad skills no matter what she tries and really is a true inspriration to those around her.

Tie One On Tuesday

Now is the time when I normally give you awesome recipes for your drinking pleasure but tonight I have a different idea up my sleeve. Let's say you're out with your friends, wanting to have a little drinky drink and you ask the bartender for three dots and a dash. He looks at you like you've just grown another head. Well, today is for you! Here are a few drinks that you can order that are tasty, don't take a lot of effort and make you look like you know what you are talking about (even when you don't)

First up is a favorite of OMP's, it's the Sidecar and it is delicious! This is the original recipe from Harry's in Paris.

1 1⁄2 oz.  cognac
3⁄4 oz. Cointreau
3⁄4 oz. fresh lemon juice

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass with a sugared rim.
Garnish with an orange peel.

Next up on the drink menu is a Manhattan. Interesting island, but a better drink.

1 1/2 oz. Bourbon - Maker's Mark will do
1/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth
dash Angostura Bitters

Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a Cocktail glass. Garnish with a Maraschino Cherry

This last beverage is a favorite of mine, that I always seem forget when I have been drinking. It is SOOO tasty! Plus, the name is really fun to say - Singapore Sling

1 1/2oz. Gin
3/4 oz. Cherry Liqueur or Cherry Brandy
1/2 oz. Lemon Juice
Club Soda
Sugar

Combine gin, lemon juice, and sugar in a shaker with ice.
Shake well until sugar is disolved. Strain into a chilled Collins glass filled with ice.
Fill with soda and float the cherry liqueur/brandy on top.

So TOOT fans, there are a few drinky drinks to impress your friends on your next outing. They are classic cocktails that  will make you look suave and sophisticated-even when you're wearing your flipflops, tank top and cut offs! Bottoms UP!  

There's No Place Like Home

I have been traveling a lot in the past two months. Just this weekend I was in Anaheim, California for the CHA show. It was so much fun meeting everyone but nothing beats home. Now, don't get me wrong, I love visiting places and meeting new people but rainy, gray Oregon is my home and I'm always happy to get back to the this drizzly state. So,today's movies are in honor of my adopted state (I'm really a southern girl at heart, but that's a whole other story).

An all time classic that I think any red blooded American male can quote is Animal House. This movie was filmed in Eugene Oregon. I have to admit, I really love this movie. John Belushi was at his best and yes, the jokes are crass, juvenile and just plain low grade but I can't not help laughing every time I see it. Dean Wormer tries to expel the Delta Tau Chi Fraternity but they have other plans for him and for the college. Hijinx ensue and you will be laughing even though you know you shouldn't.

Okay, tell me how great this is-Lee Marvin,Clint Eastwood, Jean Seberg AND SINGING? I'm talking about a little movie called Paint Your Wagon. Oh yeah, you heard me right. Paint Your Wagon. This fun little 1969 musical about the gold rush was filmed in Oregon. This movie was nominated for best musical and with good reason-HELLO! Lee Marvin singing! It's a silly musical about the gold rush, gambling and a little bit of drinking-this might be a normal Tuesday night in Portland.

A hidden gem that I found completely by accident while search for a film noir movie is Portland Expose. It is suppose to be a film noir mystery  but the corny lines and silly storyline make it more kitschy than anything else. It is really great to watch this 1957 movie and see landmarks that are still around. The story involves a tavern owner trying to make a legitimate living but is bullied by mob gangs to bring in illegal gambling via pinball. Isn't it crazy that pinball use to be illegal, anyhoo....the tavern owner is saved by honest union men (this is Portland after all) and all ends well, or does it?

There are so many more excellent movies that were filmed in Oregon. Here is just a small sampling-
Drug Store Cowboy
The Goonies
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Apple Dumpling Gang
The Simpson's Movie (it wasn't FILMED here but Matt Groening is from here and all the characters are named after streets in Portland)
Point Break
Stand By Me
The Shining (the outside of the hotel is Timberline Lodge at Mt. Hood-yes, it still counts)
Maverick
Twilight (Sorry, I know, I know-I said I was sorry! )

So, if you really want to feel like a Portlander, the next time it rains and it's 30 degrees. Throw on those shorts, toss that umbrella and  bike on down to the nearest independent video store. You'll feel like you're in Stumptown in a matter of minutes.

Cutest Little Pattern

I just love this pattern of these cute little senor and senorita. They are just too adorable.

Enjoy! I can't wait to see this all stitched up by you guys!