Saturday, when we walked a couple miles into town and applied for her very own library card, Ella chose a book called “Soup Day. While lying around this afternoon, resting with an icepack on her head, she was taken by sudden inspiration to “Make Soup, like in the book!!”

Why would I ever refuse that bruised-up sweet face?? We hopped in the car and drive to out local grocer to pick up the ingredients she listed.

Upon our return, Ella insisted on doing everything possible herself, from slicing and washing, and seasoning the vegetables, to cooking noodles and dishing up soup. She made dinner for all of us, and she feels better inside and out.

For more details, check out the American Sewing Guild Greater Detroit Chapter‘s website.

And don’t miss Annie’s Giveaway from Aromaholic.

If I were you, I’d be asking myself, “What the heck does Karen have to do with the Kentucky Derby?”

Answer: “Nothing”

However, I met with the hat designer Rachelle Willnus a couple weeks ago.  You know, just as I was planning to go down to Whipstitch, and right when I was saying “no” to things that weren’t sewing pattern or instruction-related?

Well, I’m so happy I said “Yes” to this chance.  It was fabulous to work with Rachelle, and to design dresses for Janna, Joan (in hazelnut soy/bamboo tank dress on the right), Sophie (in a red shot-cotton flirty sundress on the left), and Marlene (in the linen wrap dress in the middle).

I got to meet (and LOVE!) Sarah Jane.  We giggled offstage with Cheryl before the segment was filmed:

Made in Michigan: Derby Hats by Rachelle: MyFoxDETROIT.com

Grand total of redheads in the Green Room = 5

I can’t resist sharing some backstage photos.  I am so thrilled with how the dresses came out (and FIT!) and how gorgeous everyone looked in their hats and jewelry.

Why, oh why did I not bring my actual camera?

(I hope David Mello got some good shots with his fancy lenses.)

If you want to see more, or get your hands on one of those hats, there will be a live event (party!) in my town (at the State of MInd Gallery) on Friday where all the fashions and hats will be available.

Someone was smart enough to snap a quick photo of the designers before we took off for coffee …(well, a nap was my intention, but you know how that goes with kids on Spring Break this week).

Let me start by telling you that Deborah is a real community leader, and Whipstitch is truly an anchor in the crafty community. I told my sister (who lives in the greater Atlanta area) that I’d be moving there.  She was so excited until she realized I meant I wanted to move right there, into Whipstitch.  What a dreamy place, full of inspiration, fabric love (obsession?) and crafty community.

My sweet sissy picked us up at the airport, and drove hours to get us to the WRONG PLACE, thanks to me.  Who knew typing “renaissance peachtree” would lead us to an assisted living center?  I’ll never forget Rae grabbing my elbow and whispering “This is not the place” as we backed out of the lobby.  By the time we made it to the Renaissance Hotel on Peachtree, Deborah was already waiting for us.  We grabbed our bags, bid Ella goodbye (who stayed for the first time overnight without me!) and I munched on the delicious snacks my sister made for our hotel room as Rae checked us in, and I started to finally laugh with Deborah over my wacky detour.

Friday night was dreamy.  Beautiful food, beautiful fabrics, and beautiful people were out in full force to greet Rae and me.  Thanks to Darcy and Atlanta Modern Sewing, for coordinating this gorgeous spread:

What an honor and pleasure it was to connect with so many wonderful crafters…

Our Saturday morning workshop was great fun. All the practicing and content culling Rae and I did paid dividends in a relaxed, enjoyable chat about techniques and tips for making handmade garments that really are worth the time and effort taken to create them.

The Saturday afternoon workshop was packed, but with students and content! (…maybe a little hectic at times?) In hindsight, there are things we’d probably do differently (wouldn’t everyone?), but the students were FABULOUS, and every time I see a new creation emailed to me, or on a blog, or in the Sewing for Boys Flickr group, I’m reminded how much more fun it is to make things together.  It was a whirlwind weekend, packed from start to finish with activity and crafty goodness…. then…..

MORE activity.  Sara (my sister) and Ella and Sophia and Chelsea came to pick me up from the hotel after I bid Rae adieu as she rushed back to be with Elliott on his birthday.  Ella and Sophia are like soul sisters.  Apparently, they neverstoptalking because they neverrunoutofthingstotalkabout in a typical 5 year old fashion.  I just know next Summer, Chelsea will be able to keep up with the,. but for this year, it was the Ella and Sophia show, all the way.  She didn’t even miss me while I was away with Rae.

As we had “Georgia Aquarium” on our must-see (again) list, we stayed another night in the City.  Since the weather had been so lovely, I booked us a night at the Georgian Terrace so the kids could “swim” in their rooftop pool.  Lucky us, the weather turned to cold and windy for the Sunday we were there.  Of course the girls went in anyway:

Brrrrr… no thanks.

The aquarium was lovely, and the girls (and mommies) were completely mesmerized by the Dolphin Show.  Even after 6 hours there, we could have stayed longer if the kids weren’t hungry.  There’s so much to see!

Even though Ella and I came back with horrendous allergies, and I didn’t get the chance to meet up with Mary, and I feel like I never get enough time with Rashida, we had a wonderful time, and I cannot wait to go back (when the pollen count is down)!

complete with snacks (many thanks in advance to the Atlanta Modern Sewing Guild for sponsoring treats!) and sewing.

On Saturday, Rae and I will have a little chat on Successful Handmade Garment Sewing from 10:30-noon with some garment samples, techniques, and (hopefully!)helpful handouts.

It wouldn’t been a weekend with us if there weren’t also actual sewing involved, so after lunch on Saturday we’ll get right into sewing up some Treasure Pocket Pants from the Book.

As far as I know, there are still a couple of spots left for the afternoon workshop.  You can sign up here, if you’ll be in the area and want to make some Treasure Pockets with us. Deborah has some fabulous fabric available for purchase, just in case you cannot bear to part with your stash, OR (more likely) if you want to add to it!

You don’t have to be local to Atlanta, GA to get in on the Whipstitch goodness; Deborah offers wildly popular e-classes right here on the internet.

I hope we’ll see you soon.  Cross your fingers there’s not a tornado at this meetup!

I knew it was coming, so I already started.  This weekend I cut out a raglan scoop-neck tee, altered it a bit from the original tracing (thanks, Rae!) which I traced from a tracing Rae made and altered for herself from an existing tee. (telephone game, anyone?)

I love sewing with knits, but this one was a little “too stable” for my liking.  It barely stretches, which looks fine when it’s on, and was much easier to sew, but getting it in place on my body is a squeezy challenge, as I usually allow the stretch of the knit fabric to take care of the FBA for me.  Oh well.  It’s cotton and bamboo, and I left the edges raw, like I do on my kids’ shirts.  I’m probably going to make 10 of these before I make anything else for myself.

p.s. I know my hair is pink and purple…Yes, Mom, I did that on purpose.

I’m starting to feel a little like I’m showing my age.   I don’t mind being forty. I actually kind of like it. I finally know what I want and who I am. I have a lot of wonderful experiences behind me and even more in front of me.  I have simply been feeling haggard lately. Part of it is that I don’t really “do anything” with myself, now that I work at home. Part of it is that I haven’t been running (which makes me feel great from the inside out) very much lately.

It didn’t help, that when I bought my fabulous new coat, the saleslady thought my friend Annie was my daughter.  Granted, she looks about 15, and I have two almost-fifteen-year-olds, but still….Annie’s only a few years younger than I am (and she has her OWN 4 kids, one of whom is actually fifteen).

Fast-forward to this morning, where I was having coffee with Janna at a new little local roaster.  It’s always so inspiring to be around her…besides her open, friendly demeanor and the creative confidence she exudes, she manages to pull a ”look” together and appears to have stepped out of a magazine – every. single. time. I see her.  It’s kind of awe-inspiring.  After too much coffee and giggling, I mentioned needing to pick up a little makeup and she immediately suggested we go to her favorite place in the whole world for cosmetics: Rouge. My lunch date had cancelled via text just moments before, and it seemed like perfect timing for a little adventure.

Rouge is located in a fabulous little building in Ferndale, MI where torch songs play over the PA and the chandelier in the bathroom made me want to move in and live there.  It is a make-up and nail studio and they carry heavenly, vegan-friendly, cosmetics and skin care products that are simply the best I’ve ever had floating on my poor old skin.

Cheryl took the time to teach me how to wash my face (I know, I’m pathetic), and to put on makeup for normal everyday use. I really feel like I can handle the task now:

I went in looking like I usually do (on the left), and came out looking like I feel, and ready to face the world.

Speaking of makeovers, I’ve been so absent because I’m working on a major update for this site and for my business in general.  Expect to see some changes around here!

So, like any decent craftymom, I let her.

Every bit of this was her idea.  She loves to teach.  Enjoy!

Originally uploaded by OneGirlCircus

So, since the beginning of January, Ella has been working on an exhibit, complete with surveys, research questions, diarama, collages, papier mache, etc. to participate in Museum Day at her school. She chose to learn about hummingbirds and it was so thrilling to hear her speak about her exhibit.

When we came home from Museum Day, she re-created the display in our main living area, and has shown everyone who has visited what she learned.

I’m so proud of her, but more importantly, she’s proud of herself and the work she put into the exhibit.

We plan to do another this summer. She’s thinking about the topic she’d like to study now.

Do your kids do in-depth studies at school (or at home?) I was so surprised at her blissful enthusiasm.

p.s. that Dress is made with the Made by Rae pattern “Pierrot” available here.