Jenny La Fleur

Today was fun. Mom and Dad and I joined friends for a benefit tea for the Rappahannock Pops Orchestra at the country club. The tea was fine, nothing amazing but the company (as always) was lovely. The real point of the exercise was coming up with a really cute outfit, which I accomplished if I do say so myself. *wink*

Earlier this week I finished off a skirt that I started last year. It got warm before I managed to put a hem in it so I packed it away until cool weather returned. An hour’s work on Friday and it was done – yay!

I then discovered that not only did I have a top that looked cute with it but the necklace I made myself for my birthday and my favorite vintage hat actually matched my new skirt exactly. I love it when that happens!

I decided to add a red shrug and my new green flats (which went with the green lining fabric) and A Cute Outfit (TM) was born.

The double takes I got when I wore it to church this am were entertaining (folks don’t dress up at my church, mores the pity) but I was quite tame compared to the Red Hat ladies at the tea. Funny how the same outfit can seem over-the-top and conservative on the same day. Another reason to just wear what makes you happy and forget the rest of the world. :>

I be sick. Moo. Not sick enough to want to lay on a couch and die of course but sick enough to have a fever and have to cancel the tea we were having with friends today. I was willing to suffer through the day but I have a fever so canceling was best. *pouts* I do have a consolation of sorts in the Whole Foods chocolate croissant B found in the back of the 'fridge that I have since toasted and am nibbling while I type. Chocolate really does make life better.

Don't faint but I have been sewing a bit this week. I've been doing a lot of bead sorting (new containers - ooh!) but I also pleated the back of the black & white bustle skirt and put the waistband on. I ended up liking the effect of stacked box pleats best. Never used them before but they were fun - I'll have to use them again some time!

I've also been working on some everyday modern skirts. I'm in a long skirt mood but they don't seem to be in fashion at the moment so off to the sewing machine I go. Funny, I get more compliments on those homemade long skirts of mine than anything else I wear. More proof the “in” styles today are pretty darn ugly.

The first, made of a rusty red upholstery fabric came out super cute. I used one of my most favorite patterns, changing it to my preferred sit-on-the-hips than on the waist fit. It had a nasty backing so I flat lined the whole thing. I didn’t have anything in the stash that matched so I went for whimsy with a lime green poka-dot. No one will ever see it but I made me happy. It still needs to be hemmed and I think it needs some lace and a bow to soften it. I'll post pics when it's finished.

The second, made of a bordered wool like grey fabric was less of a success. I tried a new pattern/style for me with *eh* results. I think I can salvage it but not this week. I'm not in the mood anymore.