So we went to Morocco. It was our honeymoon–five years late, but our honeymoon nonetheless and now that we have two little kids I think the time to ourselves was much more appreciated. And thanks to my wonderful in-laws we were able to get away for a whole week.  We spent a few days in Marrakesh in a very simple riad, which was nice because Marrakesh is a crazy, frantic place.

We were dodging mopeds and surviving the hard sell, but also eating some damn fine food and drinking mint tea all over the place.

We took a bus to the coast to a town called Essaouria, where we had the best meal of all. Right on the ocean in a little shack, we pointed to fish we wanted and they slapped it on the grill.  I really have no business eating seafood in a land locked state, I now realize. I ate piles of shrimp and sardines and washed them all down with a fanta (why can’t I get an orange fanta in the US? what the hell? and why is it so good?).

We had an amazing time and there is too much to show here (but there are a few more pictures on flickr).  It made me realize I need a lot more color in my life and I need to get to the ocean more often.

One more picture, because who else is going to get excited about huge piles of yarn straight out of the dye vat?

If you don’t know about the two talented ladies from Sugar City Journal, now you do. They make ridiculously stylish and modern and cute and functional clothes for their kids. And I have been waiting patiently for their patterns to be published. Luckily, I was first in line when they came out and snatched up the pattern for the village frock dress. I’m hoping it will become my little girl’s chirstmas dress. And I was thinking about making it in velvet (or velvette) but the more I think about it the more expensive it sounds. And I’m guess velvet is hard. Any suggestions?

The picture is the packaging (duh). It’s made out of a paper bag and stitched at the sides. On the pattern itself it says, “you are a sewing genius.” Yeah! And here’s the back of the package because it’s as nice as the front.

I was lucky enough to score this Drew Beckmeyer print from Tiny Showcase. Tiny Showcase, if you don’t know, is (in their own words) “user-submitted, limited-run, amazingly high-quality and archival artwork.” Basically little, affordable art. I didn’t know I loved Drew Beckmeyer’s work until I found it there, but I do.  The scenes he paints are usually fantastical and the colors he uses are stunning and so perfectly modern. I know that graphic design type art is really popular (and affordable as well), but it’s never appealed to me. Not because I don’t love graphic designers, because I do, and not because it’s not beautiful, because it is. Painting just seems to have more warmth, more depth.  But there is no accounting for taste.  I’ve wanted to buy art for our home for a while now. We only have a little, but the art we do have was made by people we know personally and I liked that a lot.  Our friends have become so talented that now we can no longer afford their work (long ago I bought a painting with a 6-pack).  But good for them! and good for me now too, because I have this tiny piece on my wall.

It was actually chilly when I woke up this morning. The tomatoes are barely ripe and I can’t wait for the cold weather to get here.  I really can’t complain, it’s been a pleasant summer here in the midwest. It’s just not the season for me. I’ve been thinking about making a coat for winter, but I think it may be beyond my skills right now. So I just look at the lovely coats other people have made.

1. little red riding hood cape by ilikeyouworld
2. plum coat by LittleHouses
3. the peahoodie by Abigail Adams
4. mustard pea coat by stewwie

There are some really fantastic clothing shops on etsy.  A lot of these things are made just for you, with your measurements and all. This is couture for the masses! I love it. Do you know any good clothes makers (tailors? fashion designers?) on etsy?

Thanks for all your post office bag love. Who knew a strip of fabric with handles could be so exciting?

I had grand plans for this week.  I’m staying with my family and I thought with so many hands around, my hands wouldn’t always be full of children.  But my kids went and got pink eye and ear infections, so I’ve been tending to their sickness and trying to quiet the whining all day.  Then collapsing on the couch with flickr for most of the evening. Which isn’t such a bad thing, really. After sewing one dress for me and one for my daughter, garment making is pretty much all I can think about. So I thought I’d share all these amazing clothes I found with you.  And maybe when everyone is well again I’ll go home and fire up the sewing machine.

1. front closeup, 2. linen_1.jpg, 3. striped sailor boatneck tee, 4. red ticking capri, 5. flow shirt, 6. fridas kjole/dress, 7. Vintage Fabric Girls Dress from Japanese Sewing Book, 8. front closeup, 9. klein hemdje

1. Muslin, 2. silk tank, 3. … just because i’m so proud of my sewing…, 4. new lacy top, 5. DSCN6074, 6. i made my jeans! (simplicity 3850- built by you), 7. 28may08, 8. Rok voorkant, 9. Built by Wendy dress – front view