Layering (long).

Who knew you guys liked layering so much?

I just finished my 2nd version of the tank dress from this pattern by the multi-talented Jenny Gordy .This time, I lengthened it by about 4-5" and omitted the pocket. I even had enough fabric left over to make a little self-belt. Love this one!
I also love how it mixes with my ERMIE pieces I am developing for Fall/Winter (and the last piece from Summer that is still in the shop). All of these pieces work effortlessly with Modaspia's French Tee.

So I present- layering!
Some of the guidelines I use to assist me when I layer:
1. Keep items within the same group of colors- for this shoot I worked with blue, green, red, and black.
2. Don't be afraid to mix patterns- stripes with florals, large and small prints, vary as much as you'd like- if you are working within your palette (see #1)- it will work.
3. Have fun, have fun, have fun!

Wiksten Pattern Tank Dress. Made by me from Naomi Ito fabric.



Wiksten Pattern Tank Dress with ERMIE Summer 2010 Frayed Edge Blouse.



Wiksten Patten Tank Dress with ERMIE F/W 10-11 Magic Marker Print Blouse.
Textile design on blouse © Jennifer Parry Dodge & Tomory Dodge 2010



Wiksten Pattern Tank Dress with Modaspia French Tee.



Modaspia French Tee with ERMIE F/W 2010 Bokeh Print Skirt.
Textile design on skirt © Jennifer Parry Dodge 2010



ERMIE F/W 2010 Bokeh Print Top & Skirt.
Textile design on both © Jennifer Parry Dodge 2010

ERMIE F/W 2010 Bokeh Print Skirt with ERMIE Summer 2010 Frayed Edge Blouse.
Textile design on skirt © Jennifer Parry Dodge

Red, Yellow & Blue

New haircut & color with a reddish tint to it.

New Frayed- Edge ERMIE blouse in sunny yellow linen.

I am heartened by all of your words of encouragement from yesterday's post.
It was not an easy decision to come to.
It was hard to tell a couple co-workers in particular- who are lovely people, and amazing nurses, because I know my departure leaves them short-handed, and I hate feeling like I'm letting people down.

My brain keeps trying to convince me I am making a mistake. My heart (mostly) says otherwise.

Thank-you, all of you, for your kindness.

If you like it then it's fine.

Another happy accident with the frayed edge blouse- I discovered you can wear the gathered scoop-neck in the front or the back as pictured above !

This past Monday night I made Swiss chard from our garden with butter & cheese, eggplant "caviar" (both recipes from here) and fettuccine with sugo di carne -made with fresh oregano from the garden- from this book.

Note: A non- guilty- pleasure: yes, I was reading Vogue as I waited the 2 hours for the sugo to cook,
and yes I enjoyed it.

A few months ago when the film "An Education" came out- I heard Nick Hornby talking on NPR about the term 'guilty pleasures'- NH: "I don't believe in the term 'guilty pleasures' -- either you like it or you don't like it and if you like it then it's fine. "

Yeah, I'm trying to go with that philosophy. No more guilt- in terms of pleasure or otherwise!

Soon.

I am loving these colors.

Frayed- Edge Tank over the Sunset Dress (the one I posted images of the muslin for earlier today).

Coming soon to the shop!

Bouilles de Coton

Above: All Photos courtesy of Claire Dupont/ Bouilles de Coton

ERMIE: En Francais!

Claire Dupont is a blogger and amazing seamstress who lives in France. I've been reading her blog for a while now; she makes beautiful clothing and toys - often out of Liberty or Nani Iro fabric. I'm completely inspired by her. I love the way she interprets sewing patterns- using interesting prints and color combinations. Claire, like myself, is also a nurse! I was honored when she purchased one of my Summer 2010 Frayed-Edge Blouses. There are still a couple in the shop on sale!

Merci, Claire!!!

All Photographs courtesy of Modaspia/ Ursula Dean

Ursula from Modiaspia kindly sent me these photos of her model wearing a new skirt design for Modaspia SP '11 and the yellow Frayed Edge Blouse from this summer's ERMIE collection! Thank-you Ursula!!

Yesterday Carlee & her husband David invited us to spend the day in Malibu (thanks guys!!) . I forgot my camera. It was such a beautiful day. Really good light! There was this white bougainvillea that was so pretty. What I really wish I had remembered to bring the camera for was to take pictures of Carlee's son X and our godson GG. They are 2 y.o. and so cute. So sweet with each other (except when they were throwing sand...heh).
It was wonderful to watch them marvel at things we take for granted. For example, when GG glimpsed the marine layer passing overhead, he pointed at the sky & said "Oh, Wooooww!!!"

Randomly: I stepped on a honey bee at the beach. Ouch.