Sunday 20 September 2015

A Pintastic Week - 20.09.2015



































Hi!

How are you all? I hope you had a splendid week. I have some little gems again for you! I'm also planning my autumn/winter wardrobe, so stay tuned for a post on that.

- To my fellow Belgians (or people who plan on visiting), I came across an article about a new hotspot in Gent called Used Book Café. It went straight on my list of places to visit in my own little country. (The article is in Dutch by the way)

- Hanne wrote a book in which sewing-related terms are translated in three languages: Dutch, French and English. No more frustration because you don't know how to say 'understitching' in Dutch!

- These new lipsticks by KIKO have great colours, I particularly like number six, Melodious Wine. 

- I recently came across The Iron You, a blog filled with healthy recipes that look absolutely delicious, like this cauliflower casserole.

- I think I might give this DIY Helmut Lang skirt a go. 

- I just discovered The Long & Winding Bobbin, and although it is not a recent project, I really love this dress she made.

- How pretty is the cocktail dress that Sheryll from Pattern Scissors Cloth made? And how hard is it not to want to sew this kind of dresses all the time?

 

Sunday 13 September 2015

A Pintastic Week - 13.09.2015


Hi there!

How are you all doing? I thought it was about time to do one of these posts again! The blogging world has created some beauties yet again, so take a look and enjoy!

- About the picture above: I came across this artist today, who made pinup versions of a few Disney princesses. I hope he will do some more in the future!

- Chelsea King created beautiful nail art inspired by a pair of Valentino booties. 

- When I saw the pattern in Burdastyle, it originally didn't do me that much - I neither liked nor disliked it. But now that I've seen the version that Sallie Oh made, I might have to reconsider... I think she looks stunning! 

- Trine made a Nettie dress for her daughter and I think she looks both tough and feminine in it. I especially like the graphic print of the fabric. 

- Although I liked the dress she made at first, I think the refashion that Debbie did on it is a great success! 

- This DIY skirt by Geneva Vanderzeil is on my list.

- This nightstand makeover on A Beautiful Mess is both chic and bright.

Thursday 20 August 2015

Floral dress


Hi there!

Remember this post? That dress finally happened... About time I'd say!
But, better late than never, and I have worn it many times already.

This skirt was thrifted a few years ago, and once I unpicked the waistband, it became clear just how much fabric I had to work with. Enough for a dress, it turned out.


The pattern I used for the top is Burdastyle 04/2013 #116, like I planned back in 2013. I drafted the skirt myself, because I wanted it to flare a bit, instead of having a pencil skirt. Next time I'll probably use the skirt from the pattern, because I really do like how it looks. I also did a full bust adjustment on the top to make it fit properly. I am really happy with how it fits and how it looks on me, so a repeat will definitely happen.


Big thanks to my friend Sarah, who was so kind to take these pictures while we were in Warsaw!

- Birgit

  

Friday 31 July 2015

Starring Magnolia


Hi guys!

A short post today, I just wanted to show you the card I made this afternoon for my mom's birthday. I used one of my Magnolia stamps, and made the rest of the card around it. I coloured the stamped figure with my Rembrandt colouring pencils, the stars and the lettering were done by hand with a silver pen. I traced some of the stars to make them pop, as I felt it was a bit flat before.

Happy weekend!


 

Sunday 26 July 2015

A Pintastic Week - 26.07.2015

Because everybody loves flamingos. Watercolour painting via OlechkaDesign on Etsy.

Hi there!

How was your week? I met with friends a couple of times to do some much needed catching up and had great times. I also finally decided on a pattern for a maxi dress after lots and lots of research, inspiration photos and looking through all my sewing magazines. I plan on getting started with it today and hopefully it won't take me too long to sew. Not spilling the beans yet, though! You will have to wait until it is done ;)

I've also read about and seen great things again this week and below are a couple of personal highlights. Happy Sunday!

First up is a Burda pattern mash-up by So from On Sunday Mornings. I adore the playsuit she made by combining a shorts pattern and a bodice from a dress. 

I also liked the dress Szilvia made for the Burda Member Model Challenge. It is such a simple silhouette, but I think the colour makes it look so chic. 

This braid is insane. That is all I can say about it.

These cacti pincushions are cute, useful, and I can't help but smile at the thought of a pincushion shaped like a cactus. Plus, A Beautiful Mess makes great tutorials, every time.

This Boursin bruschetta bar featured on The Londoner seems like the perfect food set-up for an evening of entertaining friends. No such thing as missing all the fun because you are in the kitchen getting everything ready.



Wednesday 22 July 2015

Mom's tie dress


Hi guys!

Today I wanted to show you a dress I made for my mom, as proof of my non-selfish sewing. She once went fabric shopping with me, and I promised her that if she found fabric she liked, I'd make her something. That finally happened (I have two more I promised her, still working on that). She let me take photos to share here, as long as her face wouldn't be in them, hence the headless pictures ;)

She wanted something she could throw on easily when it is warm outside, and that she could wear on vacation. So we decided to go for Knipmode May 2015, dress 20. The only real alteration - besides grading between different sizes for bust and hips - is that I considerably shortened the skirt part, as my mom doesn't like to wear maxi dresses. Unfortunately, my sewing machine broke down, so I hemmed it by hand. (I notice the front panels look uneven in the picture, but they aren't in real life.) Most of the sewing on this dress was straightforward and not so hard, except for the shoulderbands. It was kind of a pain to sew those in a knit fabric and the instructions were also confusing, so I ended up figuring out on my own how I could do them. It was probably not the way I was supposed to sew them, and probably also not the easiest way, but I managed in the end. And my mom is happy, so that is the most important thing.
Anyway, this is the result:

Pumps and Needles: Mom's tie dress - knipmode pattern
Pumps and Needles: Mom's tie dress - knipmode pattern
 

Wednesday 15 July 2015

Martini dress


Hi guys!

I just got back from two relaxing weeks in Italy, hence the lack of posts. The weather was so good - sometimes a little too hot for me even, but I don't complain! With the beautiful scenery around, I thought it was a good opportunity to finally take some pictures from a dress I made. Out of all the things I already sewed, this is the first one that makes it to the blog. I should definitely get around to taking pictures of everything...



The pattern I used is the Martini dress by La Maison Victor. The pattern calls for a bit heavier, wool-type fabric, but I had a coupon of tricot in my stash that I managed to squeeze it out of. The result is slightly more fitted, but soooo comfy, I could live in this dress! Because of my choice of fabric, the neckline will not stay up, but I also like it when it folds over like this.
Big thanks to my lovely sister for taking the pictures!



 

Sunday 21 June 2015

A Pintastic Week - 21.06.2015

Paper sculpture by Belinda Rodriguez via Design Crush

Hi guys!

How has your week been? Mine was great! I had my last exam on Wednesday, and spent the rest of the day hanging out with friends, which was awesome. I also went out for dinner a couple of times to catch up with some that I hadn't seen for too long. And now I am sewing my butt off to get everything on my to do list done in time for my vacation. On that list: two dresses I promised my mom for way too long already, a pair of shorts, a top and a maxi dress for me. I don't know how I'll get that done in a week, but we'll see.

Let's get on to the roundup!

- I have fallen in love with Reformation. I didn't know the brand until recently, but I want to have a lot of their dresses. It seems like I am not alone in that, as their Marion dress - which is one of my favourites - is already sold out... I also really like the Jasper jumpsuit.
- I also like these H&M shorts a lot. They might become my inspiration for the pair I am about to make.
- I'm trying to eat healthier, and I've been eating Monica's refrigerator oatmeal with cherries and chocolate for a few mornings. It is the perfect breakfast and I don't get hungry until noon.
- Rachael's flamingo jumpsuit just screams Summer to me, I want to go and steal it from her closet.
- Aimee made this very cute dress with a giant bow, that also really wants to hang in my closet. Luckily, she was so kind to share the pattern she used for it!

That's it for today, back to my sewing machine!
- Birgit

 

Sunday 14 June 2015

A Pintastic Week - 14.06.2015

Picture via From Paris to London

Happy Sunday!

One more exam to go and I can start on my summer sewing plans, I'm looking forward to that. I'm taking a little time off studying today (not the whole day though!) as our village's annual flea market takes place. It is a rather festive day here, with food stands and a large bar and seeing people you know every 10 metres of the way. So, I'm hoping to find some little treasures!

I came across a few gems again while surfing the web this week:

- Brit+Co shared this genius father's day gift idea: a tool box with tools made of chocolate! As my father is very handy, but also has a sweet tooth, that would be perfect! In Belgium, father's day is today already, so this year it is not an option anymore, but perhaps the next one?
- Through Hanne's post, I discovered Ann Shen's illustrations, and I just love them.
- Perfect for your next party: tassle wine charms, so you know which glass is yours. And it just looks very pretty, don't you think?
- I've been following This Blog Is Not For You for a while, but somehow I missed her playsuit inspired by The Notebook.

What are you up to today?

 

 

Sunday 7 June 2015

A Pintastic Week - 07.06.2015

Picture via Fashion Edit

Hi everyone!

My busiest week during the exams is behind me, luckily, I'm having a bit of free time again. I plan on spending that spare time on looking for the perfect patterns for a summer wardrobe and sewing them up. Top priority: shorts! You will be reading about that somewhere in the next couple of weeks.

I have a few pins I would like to share this week:

- First off, I'm actually really jealous of Honigdesign's perfect denim summer dress. Did I say it is perfect yet?
- I have been trying to eat healthier, and these veggie nori rolls look delicious. I also know I can't keep that up without a treat from time to time, so I'm dying to try out this healthy ice-cream recipe based on bananas.

Have a great week!
-Birgit

 

Sunday 31 May 2015

A Pintastic Week - 31.05.2015


Happy Sunday!

I hope you are all having a great weekend - for those of you that have to study, like me, I hope it is going well and good luck!
Yesterday evening, I found a thrifted skirt in my fabric stash out of which I originally planned on making a pair of shorts, but I discovered that it actually fits me quite perfectly, so I shortened it and now I have a new skirt to wear, yay! I also have a bit leftover fabric, since I needed to shorten it quite a bit, so hopefully it will turn out to be just enough to squeeze a crop top out of it. Once I am done with that, and I find a person willing to take pictures, I will post it here.

In the mean time, let me share some of my recent favourite pins.

- I love Burda patterns, and I already loved this pattern when I saw it in the magazine, but Tea's version made me swoon!
- Another beautiful take on a Burda dress pattern from the Polish blog Poczwarka Prezentuje that I discovered recently.
- Anna made this 70's inspired denim skirt, a style I have been seeing a lot recently on streetstyle pictures, and I love it.
- I discovered that the Lindy Petal skirt by Itch to Stitch is actually a free pattern, hurray!
- I actually quite like this hair accessory from Free People, it gives you that something extra... (Click through to the gold coloured one too, as the shape is also different!)
- I love Coewless Nail Polish, and I tried my hand at this tutorial last week.
- This outfit on Ohh Couture is so chic, I couldn't believe the pants are H&M!
- And can I please swap wardrobes with Atlantic Pacific? Her skirts are to die for... 

Now, back to studying... See you soon!
- Birgit


Friday 29 May 2015

Pearl anniversary card


Hi guys!

Last time I posted, we were still January, so let me give you an update on what I have been doing in the mean time! 
First of all, I went to New York - and I got to celebrate my birthday there! Needless to say, it was an experience I will not quickly forget! I also went to Berlin in the Easter break, which was an amazing trip as well and I got to know some great people. Besides traveling - I did not spend four months constantly on holiday, rest assured - I mostly worked very hard on my master's thesis, which is handed in and already defended, hurray!

I did a bit of sewing too, and I'm hoping the weather will get better so I can take decent pictures to share here...
Now, let me show you a card I made recently for a couple's 30 year anniversary. As the symbol for 30 years is pearl, I wanted to include that in the design. The 'mr & mrs' is a free Silhouette file from a while ago, not free anymore now, but still available in the store. The scalloped background was painted with watercolours, and I splattered it as well, though it is hard to see in the picture. The giant heart was cut from some sheer polyester fabric I have laying around.


Pumps and Needles: pearl anniversary card

Pumps and Needles: pearl anniversary card

Have a great weekend!
- Birgit

Sunday 18 January 2015

A Pintastic Week - 18.01.2015



Paraísos desplegables by artist Manuel Ameztoy, via Trendland 
 

Hi there!

Since I have studying to do, I'm just going to jump straight to the linking.

I came across great homemade clothes again this week. This Burda skirt version on Two On Two Off makes me like the pattern, maybe I'll make one too. I want to steal this Camas blouse by Cookin' and Craftin' and Lladybird made a great pair of dotted jeans. I also added this Burda wrap dress to my 'to sew' list, it is starting to be endless...

Although I am definitely not celebrating Valentine's day, this is a very beautiful card by Lime Doodle Design. I think all three cupcake themed cards by Laura Bassen are beautiful, but the third one (with the lettering) makes me think of my friend who uses these foam letters to add some sparkle to her gift wrapping.

I really want to try these 'travelling noodles' from The Londoner, they are great if you don't have time in the morning to make lunch. These taquitos also look really good, just not for breakfast though.

I think Kaelah's workspace makeover is great, I particularly like the floating shelves and the honeycomb shelves. I know you're not supposed to be jealous, but it is kind of hard when you see The Project Girl's craft closet...

That's it, back to studying for me!



Monday 12 January 2015

January sewing plans


Hi there!

Like I said on Sunday, I have a few sewing plans for this month, so I thought I'd share them with you.

First is the Martini dress by La Maison Victor.


(pictures by La Maison Victor)

I'm already halfway with this one, and it's coming along great. I had a busy fabric in my stash and I have doubted for ages about what to make from it, and then it hit me. I'm hoping I will have made the right decision.


I recently thrifted a plaid skirt that I was planning on turning into a shawl.
I'm hoping it will be drapey enough to turn it into something like the tuck shawl pictured below.

Picture via The Paragon

Some little things for when I'm flying to New York:

- A passport holder, I'm thinking something like the blue one below, a simple layout, but with a place for everything.

 Passport holder from Invite.L via Fall In Design

- A sleep mask for on the plane. I've collected a few I like on my Sewing Inspiration board:

Dream a little dream bow eyemask from Kate Spade


Cat sleep mask by JuliaWine on Etsy 


 - Maybe a wash/wear delicates bag. I spotted this on Create/Enjoy and I think it's great to keep everything separated and clean.


I rediscovered the Plantain t-shirt pattern by Deer & Doe, and I actually need another long-sleeved shirt...


And finally, I will be celebrating my birthday in New York as well, and I'd like to sew something for the occasion, but I have no clue what exactly it is that I want... Some ideas:


So many choices... Any thoughts or other ideas? I'd love to hear!

Not sure how I'm going to get all this done, but we'll see!


Sunday 11 January 2015

A Pintastic Week - 11.01.2015




Hi guys!

I hope you all had a great week! I've started working on another dress and have a couple more sewing plans this month, which I'll be sharing in another post soon. I've also been trying to step away from the computer a little more and finished reading my first of 25 books that I set out as a goal for this year. 25 is the amount of books I read last year, so I should be able to do that. And my list of to-reads is looooong... I also made a few adjustments on the blog, like having a decent picture in the sidebar, and making my own proper social media icons. It sure makes my blog look a lot neater, don't you think? I'm still thinking about making a new banner, but I don't know what I want for it yet... Anyway, let's get sharing!

I've come across a couple of great things again this week, like this geometric clutch from Baguera. I especially like the black and the mirrored ones, but the others are pretty great as well.

I discovered a new (to me) blog, Form of Ugliness, and I'm in love with the clothes she makes, like this blue refashion and this black one made from a free Burda pattern. I also love this pin-up party dress by The Little Tailoress, the floral Cambie that Angelica made and this Camí dress with a contrast collar on Fruits, Flowers & Clouds.

I always love a good Ikea hack, and these are two great ones: a nightstand hack on Vintage Revivals and a dresser made over into a rolling desk on In My Own Style.

That is it for today, happy Sunday everyone!
- Birgit

 

Sunday 4 January 2015

A Pintastic Week - 04.01.2015

Pumps and Needles: Happy 2015



Picture by me.


Happy New Year everyone! I wish you all the best and I hope 2015 will be a wonderful year for you!

Due to festivities and sewing, I didn't pin that much this week, but I still have some great links to share with you!

I'm getting a little hungry (it's noon over here when I'm writing this), and these quichelettes sure aren't making it any better! And these four hot drinks on Call Me Cupcake are perfect for snuggling up on the couch on a cold winter night.

To DIY on said winter nights: pom pom magnets (aren't they cute??), fabric scrap letters and these little handwarmers.
 
So smart: how to sew darts in sheer fabric.

Tried by yours truly and totally approved: an easy elegant updo on Say Yes To Hoboken.

Paris is always a good idea. I can only agree! Also check out the other prints, they are amazing as well!

Have a great week!
- Birgit