Manic Pop

Ok, so I'm not necessarily any good at following directions: I'm supposed to wait to post my version of this, but it's been 3 months since it's been made and I've been wearing it around a bit! This skirt is the Jade Skirt by Lisa who is releasing PDF patterns online via her company, Paprika Patterns.   This is the first garment I've ever gotten to pattern-test and the first pattern she is ever releasing! When Max is taking photos, he's always telling me to do the "goofy model poses". I suppose this is an attempt to get me looking more natural in photos since I don't always.   The skirt is made out of a stretch-knit fabric. I chose this stretchy floral - don't ask me what it is exactly because nothing is labeled at the fabric store I go to! I assume it has spandex in it for stretch as it's not a cotton stretch knit. I initially almost thought this floral was kind of ugly, but it grew on me. I also realized just now that it lo...

It's funny how the more things change, the more they stay the same. Aside from my amazing rainbow staircase I painted.... Other than that, I am back to taking photos in front of my orange bookshelf! I think that's what I mean about things staying the same. I used to take photos in front of it in the bungalow house I rented in Chicago from 2009-2014. By now, I am fully moved in and settled into my house in Grand Rapids, Michigan -- one WE BOUGHT. I know I mentioned it in my last blog post, but it's my biggest accomplishment so far in my entire life. We didn't accept any help from anyone in our family either -- so it was ALL us making the house thing happen.  During my settling in time, I have been able to already crank out 3 new items -- one being this ridiculously fun frappuccino sweater. I used a sweater knit from Fabric.com but found the Starbucks patch online.  I'm sure there is some sort of licensing issue with the seller of the patch and Starbucks...

Hey guys, I think I found a new favorite sweater! I've been slightly intimidated by stretch knits for a while though. While I almost always have great successes with stretch knits, I shy away from them still for some reason. When I saw Lisa of Paprika Patterns post about her Jasper Sweater design long ago, I knew I had to have one! While this pattern is designed for heavier-weight stretch knits, I purchased my fabric online and apparently can't read because it mentioned that it was lighter weight in the description when I bought it. Initially, I wasn't as excited about the grey fabric when I received it (fearing it looked too much like a subdued leopard print) but it grew on me and now I want to wear this hoodie every day! Let's take a closer look:  This pattern came together really, really easily. If you're fearful of stretch knits, please do buy this pattern! The notches led the way the entire time and even though I wasn't sure at times ho...