Last month I put together the pattern for this sweet little pleated skirt for Simply Sewing issue 26 featuring a gorgeous rayon print fabric from Rifle Paper Co. The issue arrived recently and I had fun flipping through the pages and checking out the other projects, too!
You should be able to find the issues on news stands here in the US at Barnes and Noble and JoAnn Fabrics.
Happy weekend crafting!
I had fun putting this bag pattern together for Issue 23 of Simply Sewing Magazine. I think I especially love making bags of all shapes and sizes. So many other fun ideas in the issue, too!
I wanted to take a moment to post today and share that Simply Sewing is offering the tutorial for the yoga mat bag that I created for issue 14 for free on their blog! It’s a great way to try out a pattern from an issue without having to purchase. And I’m pretty sure once you’ve checked them out, you’ll be hooked, like me!
Anyway, in the process of trying to post this, I realized how long I’ve been missing in action from the blog, and I hadn’t even posted that this project was published in Simply Sewing issue 14 in the first place. I think I would apologize, except that I’m pretty sure that a lot of you can relate to having more things to do than time! Our summer has been filled with tons of home projects, work with my business coach, trips to the library, gym time, and lots of swimming and basketball for the guys. I’ve spent a lot of time catching up and doing other things this summer – and even though it’s been super busy, there’s a part of me that’s being refilled and renewed in the process. I’ve spent so much time clearing out clutter, re-organizing our living space to better fit our lives, and getting a meal planning and grocery system back into place to help our home run more smoothly. There’s something about having the home together that helps make me less anxious about running the business and keeping the family running smoothly! Whew.
I visited my stylist on Saturday and we decided on a few tweaks to my short pixie cut to update things. We also talked about my changing needs as I get just a bit older – more grays mean dealing with dryness and a bit more courseness, so she recommended a hydrating mask to use weekly.
What things do you value in a stylist? I feel so blessed that I found Mijken something like 5 years ago. We have great chats, and are always sharing what we’re up to – it’s amazing when you can connect with someone that loves the same things that you do. Fashion, style, quality, great work ethic, and viewing her work as art – a few years ago she started doing work for New York fashion week regularly, and is hoping to add Paris this fall! Super excited for her.
But what I value most on top of everything already listed?
She can tell me no.
She’s worked with my hair long enough, and knows enough about what she does that if I bring an idea to her, she will be honest with me if she knows it won’t work with my hair.
And I listen. Because I respect her and trust her judgement.
She also respects what I want – to age gracefully without dying out my grays and to stick as close to natural treatments for my hair as possible.
These things have all been important for me to maximize my look for minimum time, while playing to my strengths, and compensating for my weaknesses physically. It’s definitely a group effort and couldn’t be done with her insight and expertise.
While your stylist might not be doing fashion week in New York next week, what do you value in a stylist?