The Crafty Ungoddess

Season's greetings!

2010-12-23T14:06:00.000-08:00

I admit it. I have neglected this blog for far too long. But I have to be sincere. I have never be completely satisfied with its appearance, its posts and its projects. I wasn't ready to cuddle it and let it grow, even if it is better to say let me, my inspiration and my crafty skills grow.
So, while oil season was running very fast and I was picking olives, bottling oil, sell at a fair and prepared hundreds of Christmas orders I have meditated over this little adventure.
I meditated, meditated and meditated again.
I love this blog but things got to change. Things have to change in myself, in the way I expect this blog to help me release my creativity.
2011 will be an exciting year, there's a lot going on and I really want to share everything with you all. The New Year will find this blog a little better in its aspect and with more contents and projects. It's one of my resolutions!
For the moment... I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May Santa fulfill all your desires.

Print is not dead.

2010-09-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

And I cannot agree more. Altough I love blogland and all the amazing girls inspiring me every day through their blogs, there is something in a magazine that gives me a familiar feeling. The printed page has a vintage vibe and you can carry it everywhere. I love to curl in my bed, at night, and read, when the house is asleep and the only light on is on my bedtable.

That's why I can't be happier to welcome Anthology, a new décor magazine, which, I hope, will replace in my heart the long lost Domino.
The only thing that makes me sad is that I live in Italy and it will take some time for me to find it... how I wish I were in the US right now....
Check out their video, it's awesome!!!!

Print Is Not Dead from Anthology Magazine on Vimeo.

September 6 to September 12

2010-09-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

A pretty boring week for my outfits but a very active week in the countryside!

The whole week was devoted to the almonds and carobs' harvests and it is not yet done... we still have a few trees to finish and all the almonds need some sun to dry properly.

I needed a practical and it's-not-important-if-it-breaks outfit but I needed to stand by my SSS pledge. So basically, I used for the harvest activity a pair of bermudas altered by me. I thrifted them as second-hand military trousers in Florence more than 10 years ago and after a couple of summers I decided to cut them and make myself a pair of bermudas. They are perfect for working in the countryside, with those two big side pockets were I can fit all my belongings.

The evening were spent at home in another pair of bermudas which are at least another 10 years old and were overdyed by me some 5 summers ago when, at a beach party, someone spilled red wine on them... by the way, they were beige... I also resumed from the dephts of my wardrobe a refashioned t-shirt... my first and only attempt at sewing jersey...

The only time I went out was to go to the grocery store and I wore a red dress bought in London in 1997 that I took in and shortened last year but I couldn't take a picture of it as once came home I fed my dog and half of his dinner went on my dress. So, straight to the laundry!!!!

I have to say that, even if I didn't sport some me-made garments or gorgeous outfits I am proud of my more than a decade old clothes... I really do think that the age of my clothes is a real part of this challenge, what do you think?

A roadtrip to Magna Graecia

2010-09-09T07:09:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, in order to celebrate my birthday and our fourth anniversary, my boyfriend and I (together with my self-stitched garments) travelled to Agrigento to visit the Valley of the Temples, one of the best archaeological sites in Southern Italy to see the remains of the Greek civilization, more than two thousand years ago.

As we wanted a little adventure, we stayed in a camping on the seaside and had the privilege to put up our tent under a huge thunderstorm...

On Saturday we went to visit the temples and the nearby museum and then had fun bathing in the waves of the Mediterranean sea.

On Sunday, before going home, we visited a huge rock overlooking the sea, known here as the Stairs of the Turks (I forgot why...). Due to the composition of the rock, it is all white and it creates a huge contrast with the blue of sea and of the sky... a perfect place to snap some pictures!!!

We had fun, celebrated in the best possible way our years together and learnt so many things on the past life of the beautiful island we live in. But, as today my written english is not very fluent, it's better I let my pics speak for themselves...

September 3 - San Leone - after the rain

September 3 - some fun in a refashioned shirt

September 4 - Valley of the Temples - visiting in a me-made skirt

September 5 - La Scala dei Turchi

September 5 - La Scala dei Turchi - me-made dress

MIA & SSS

2010-09-01T02:17:00.001-07:00

I've been "Missing In Action" for more than a month (I didn't even realize that so much time went by from my last post) for two main reasons. The first is that we've been wihout an Internet connection for half the month, the second is that August means holidays!!! We just stayed at home greeting and taking care of the guests that rented our small cottage and had lots of friends visiting. Therefore, blogging, sewing and crafting were almost not allowed, if only for some scarce exceptions (but this is a surprise)!

Today is September the 1st and it marks the beginning of this new big adventure: Self-Stitched-September.
I woke up this morning terrified by the thought that I have only three or four handmade garments ready to wear and that September will be full of adventures and things to do: my birthday (this weekend, two days of travelling), almonds harvest, friends visiting for a week (maybe a trek on Mount Etna) and, on the 27th, a plane that will take me to Switzerland to visit my mom.
My sewing pile gets bigger and bigger everyday and yesterday, while trying to finish a refashion, I finally realized that the road to sewing is very long... and I have just started it...
Anyway, I will do my best to keep up with this challenge and will use even the smallest refashions and alterations I have in my closet. Isn't this all about sustainability and recycling? Well, the 70% of my closet is made of garments that had been worn before I was even born. And this, for me, is as important as handmade.
This is the outfit for today, a long day at home waiting for the gardeners to come (it's noon and no sign of them...).My top was eventually a dress bought in 1998 in Florence, on a Indonesian market stall. I worn it every summer, it was perfect to go to the seaside. Then, two years ago, it broke in the rear and I was lost. It cherished so many gorgeous and happy memories and was so fresh for the hot days that I couldn't part from it. So, after one year lying in the "pile", I cut it on my lower waist and, with the fabric that wasn't torn I made a ruffle that I handsewn to its bottom. Now, it's something like a tunic top that I keep wearing at least three times a week in summer!

Tomorrow will be better, I swear!

Animals...

2010-07-27T08:19:00.001-07:00

I love to take pictures of animals. Whether it's my dog, my mom's, cats, donkeys, horses, butterflies, gooses, worms, ants or birds. Here are some of my faves, taken in the last few months! Hope you like them as much as I do!

A cooking mini tutorial: making tomato sauce

2010-07-21T06:28:00.001-07:00

I've wanted to post a tutorial for a long time but I have always felt a little intimidated. It's not for an ungoddess to teach something, right? However, as I have spent the last two weeks making this, I decided to devote my very first tutorial to the making of tomato sauce. Plus, I am Italian and my country is the place where you can eat the best "spaghetti al pomodoro".
Just follow the numbers, it's really easy!

1. pick or buy some very ripe tomatoes, they should squeeze a little when touched;

2. cut them in halves or quarters (it depends on the size of tomatoes) and put them in a strainer to drain (just a couple of minutes or you will loose some salsa);

3. put them in a very big pot and add, only if you wish, onion, basil, salt and pepper. Let them boil at least for 10 minutes (boiling time it's up to you, it depends on how you like your salsa, I usually let mine boil from 20 to 40 minutes). Put them aside and let them cool for an hour;

4-5-6. put them in a food mixer (I dont' know the English name for the one I used in the pictures) and reduce them to a sauce. If you plan to use your salsa immediately then you're done, enjoy your pasta! If you wish to preserve it for the winter, keep on reading;

7. prepare the bottles, they should be clean and dry (we have recycled beer bottles for a year);

8. put the sauce in the bottles, filling up to the 2/3 of the bottle collar;

9. cork them as beer bottles are (we have a tool made specifically for this) and put them in a very big pot. Cover them with water and let them boil for 20/25 minutes (to sterilize them). Let them cool in the same pot, it usually takes 12 hours;

10. prepare some nice and fun labels... I know, this is the fun part!!!!

11. store them in a cool and dry place. They should keep from 6 months to 1 year;

12. enjoy your salsa on your pasta or wherever you wish!!!

I hope this mini tutorial was clear and I excuse myself if some words were not correct... I am not an English mother tongue and do my best to write correctly.
If some of you have other ways of making salsa, I would love to read your recipes... so, don't be shy and say hello!!!!

Pattern Challenge: Popover Sundress

2010-07-19T11:05:00.000-07:00

Last month I decided to take part in the Pattern Challenge hosted by Sarah of Come and See the Seitz and, after some reflections and procrastination, today I finally finished my first garment.
I have wanted to make baby clothing for some time and, as I don't have any children, I took the chance to make this cute little sundress for a friend's daughter. Her name is Emma and her favourite colour is pink, hence my fabric choice. I love the sweet little details you can sew on a baby dress, all the ribbons, small buttons, little animals... your imagination can really run free!!!!

I used the Popover Sundress over on BurdaStyle and I must admit that while reading the instructions for the first time I felt a lot intimidated but the actual process was fairly easy and very accessible to a novice seamstress. I had some problems in sewing the bias ties on the curves for the arms but in the end it took me no more than two hours.

I used some satin cotton thrifted on my beloved market stall in Avola where I purchased like 3mt for 2€... the yoke was made with some scraps, the button came from my boyfriend's mom stash and the ribbon came from the lovely Alli of One Pearl Button. You all know that recycled items can give life to great things but everytime I make something like this I am delighted and shocked by what you can make with next to nothing!
I hope that sweet little and terrible Emma will like it!

A package all the way from California.....

2010-07-16T09:05:00.000-07:00

Last month I took part to the Christmas in July International Gift Exchange, hosted by the super talentend Linda of Craftaholic Anonymous and today I received my package, all the way from California.
Needless to say, I love the headband and hairclip, I can't wait to wear them to the next beach party...

Thanks Heather for your loving thought and the gorgeous creations you sent me and thanks Linda for this wonderful idea!!!!!
Please excuse my hair and t-shirt but I just got back from the beach and was so excited to share that I didn't even thought of changing for the pictures!!!!

If you wish to see what all the other ladies made, there's a linky party!!!!!

I hope the package I sent over to Magda in Portugal will be arriving very soon....

p.s. Natasha... I will be posting my wedding outfit attire very soon... I just need to iron the dress!!!!

Wedding Attire

2010-07-15T02:44:00.000-07:00

On Friday night, boyfriend and I flew to my hometown to attend one of my best friend's wedding. As we have known each other for 23 years, he chose me as his witness (in Italy there are no bridesmaids or groomsmen, the couple chooses from one to three witnesses that after the celebration will have to sign the marriage act granting the truth of the union). I needed the perfect outfit. I needed to be elegant while understated, so that the bride would be the only center of the attention.

I chose a vintage handsewn dress that was my boyfriend's mom. She wore it in the same occasion some decades ago. The dress is gorgeous, it is made of the softest and wrinkle-free silk I have ever seen and I loved the fact that it was blue, my favourite colour. I needed to buy shoes to go with it and I was lucky enough to find a teal satin silk pair that match perfectly the colour of some flowers on the dress. The only problem at that point was the bag. I know that you don't need your bag to match the shoes but I loved that colour too much not to repeat it in my bag. The only thing to do was... making the bag!!!!!

I went fabric hunting with my boyfriend's mom anf found a silk cady in the very same colour!!!! I used a pattern from an old book and after a few hours of ironing, steaming, sewing and sweating, I had my bag ready to go!!!! I was so proud of my little work!!!

I really have to say that this time my crafty skills really saved me from hours and hours of shopping, looking for the perfect bag in this heat... moreover, I was proud of being there, right next to my best friends wearing something that represented me fully: a handmade dress and bag.

I had to use Picnik on these pictures... the sun is so high today that the colours were too sparkling... but if you wish to see the exact colours, the following picture wasn't picnicked...

Let me introduce you to...

2010-07-06T02:03:00.001-07:00

I know I promised projects and pictures but I spent the last week showing around a friend of mine that came to visit from Rome and, when she left, mostly at the seaside... the sun is so hot and the heat is so unbereable... the only way to win it is going to the beach... I really have to say that this is not a bad fact after all.... However, apart from my long afternoons on the sand, I really want to introduce you to my newest friend: the goose named Giosuè!!!

A few months ago a friend of mine had a baby and a couple of weeks ago they decided to throw a party in his honour and I didn't want to show up barehanded nor I wanted to buy something. My friend is like the most green-sustainable-ecoconscious-fairtrade person that I know (she even lives without a tv, she made one with a box and she puts her head inside to make her baby laugh) and I knew that she would appreciate something hand-made and completely rcycled.
So, whenever I need to make something for babies I head to The Long Thread which has the most awesome tutorials!!! I chose Lucy Goosey but I decided to name it after the baby, so... Giosuè the Goose!
I used some heavy striped cotton (the remains of the dogbeds I made for my mom in March), some blue and white cotton (the remains of a tablecloth I made last year) and some red cotton (from my boyfriend's mom stash). I then embroidered his name with stem stitch and, as the red cotton was starting to fray, I used blanket stitch to prevent it.
I am so so so happy with the final result, I really do think this is the best thing I ever made and even the goose seemed to be happy hiding in the most charming corners of my garden...

Being back... loud and proud!!!

2010-06-23T05:43:00.001-07:00

I disappeared in the past weeks due to a lot of things to do. I took up, as a consultant, an event planning job that completely ate up all my free time for more than ten days. Now that the event has taken place and was a huge success, I am working on the last finishing touches of my cottage renovation, before the first guests arrive this Saturday.
I have to say that being back in the swing of things for the event plannig was extremely fun. I chose freely to leave that world when I moved to Sicily looking for a quieter life but doing it from tim to time is useful for my brain, for making new acquaintaces and for some stress which, taken in the right doses keeps you alive (at least, this is how I see it).
For the cottage I can't wait to share pictures with you all but I need a few more days of painting...

Anyway, the great news is that, while browsing through my Reader trying to catch up with all your lovely blogs, I discovered that I have won the "you know you're a craftaholic when..." post which I had blogged about here. This said, I'm very proud of my new button which I will display for a long time in my right column! That post was so much fun, it made me laugh to tears and I could certainly see myself in more than one "craftaholicism"! If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend you to do it!
I managed to make a few things and hopefully will be able to share them in the following days so... stay tuned!!!

#2 - Picnic

2010-06-08T00:08:00.001-07:00

The best inspiration usually doesn't come at 10pm while watching some really trash tv after a long day of work that eventually ended at 9... But I decided that the best was to pick up a pencil the same. I didn't want to give myself some excuses for not drawing yesterday night. Therefore my picnic is far from what was really in my mind. But sometimes the will and the effort to complete an assignment are more important than the final result. Or I guess so...

#1 - Ivory

2010-06-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

Creativity Boot Camp has officially started. I had to chose a medium to work with. I was initially drawn to photography as it is one of my most beloved passion but I thought that, using my camera almost everyday, I could try something more difficult.
As a child I loved to draw, I had a lot of crayons (some of them are still here with me) and stared for hours at the colours and their combinations. So I decided to be very brave and went for drawing. For the next fourteen days I will draw something starting from the inspirational word given from Maegan.
Today's word was Ivory. I immediately thought of elefants, of their massive shape and of Africa. Maybe simple but I'm happy with the final result.

Can't wait to see tomorrow's word!

Projects, projects, projects...

2010-06-03T02:46:00.000-07:00

I came home from my journey a little more than a week ago and it took me all this time to go back to my normal routine. I love to travel, it's definitely my favourite passion (apart from crafting, of course!) but I need a little time once back home to recover and reflect on what I experienced.
Those two weeks were great, I spent gorgeous days with my family and had the chance to see how my brother is doing up there in Northern England (btw, he's doing great!). I also got to know better some friends and had a fantastic time in London! We hanged mostly in the East and I discovered good places to eat and to shop. The fave from the weekend was definitely the Columbia Flower Market: I saw so many beautiful plants and flowers and so many gorgeous furniture for gardens that really made me want to move there immediately, only to be able to buy tons of that stuff!
I came home with loads of inspiration and I have a long list of things to make, do, mend, refashion, recycle...
Therefore, in order to be more productive with all this projects, I signed up for a few things here on blogland...

First coming up in chronological order is The Creativity Boot Camp!

It is "a two week intensive e-course designed to take your creativity to the next level. The course will consist of daily creative conditioning exercises to shift your life patterns allowing for a full embracing of your creative selves leading to higher levels of creativity". In other words, I'm looking for some more inspiration and tips and tricks to transform my creative energy in finished projects. And I am also looking for finding some courage and bravery to start a long loved project.

Then, there's the Christmas in July International Gift Exchange!

I will make and receive a handmade gift... I already met via email the girl who's going to send me her handmade goodness and my gift will be coming straight from California... I can't wait to see what will arrive! I am waiting to know the name of the girl I actually have to send mine!
I love the feeling of waiting for the post to arrive and also the slight embarassment of giving to an unknown person something made with love. I'm always thinking "will she love it???". If you too love swaps, there's still time to sign up!

Here comes the tough stuff... I really want to learn to make my clothes and become a better seamstress so I signed up for two really demanding projects...

The first is The Pattern Challenge, organized by the lovely Sarah of Come and See the Seitz!

It's very simple: I need to find a few sewing goals, make them, blog about them and share pics on Flickr. Easier written than done. I'm still thinking about my goals. I need to make myself at least a couple of summer dresses, one blouse and a couple of skirts and I also have a neverending pile of clothes to refashion... So, once my ideas are clear I will devote an entire post to my goals and start to sew immediately after that!

The last project I embarked is certainly the most challenging for me. I signed up for the Self-Stitched-September from the super amazing Zoe of So,Zo...

I loved her Me-Made-March and May projects and I craved to be part of that, seeing the beautiful outfits she put together only with clothes she made for herself. So, when she said if anybody was interested in join her in September, I didn't even think of what I was doing.

I am going to take the light version and will wear at least one item of clothing or accessory made or refashioned by me everyday for the whole month of September. I have three full months to prepare... I really need to work hard but the Pattern Challenge will be of some help.

It's going to be a fun summer, I know! I just think... will I be able to bring my sewing machine to the seaside???? Mmmmm... better learn how to hand sew!!!

Craftaholicisms...

2010-06-02T10:36:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to tell all of you to check out the awesome blog Craftaholic Anonymous today. The post is titled "you know you're a craftaholic when..." so be prepared to recognize yourself and laugh out loud!!!! Plus, there's also a very little contribution from me!

Julie's ATC

2010-06-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

The Hand Embroidery Network ATC Swap is now over and I have finally received my partner's embroidered card... it's so cute... I love the yellow background and the buttons! Julie is really an embroidery beginner and she did a great job! Seeing it yesterday really made my day!!!

This is the ATC that I sent her. I wanted to work with complementary colours not only in the threads but also on the fabric. I love the pairing of yellow and fuchsia together, they really are gorgeous! The design was taken from a Publisher's clipart... not very technologic but I loved the butterfly! I also added some sequins to give the work more light and a backstitch green frame to give it a definite look.

This is the first time I take part in a swap and I must say that it was fantastic! I had to work on a schedule not to disappoint my partner and was able to stay in the timing. Plus, I had a reason to wait for the postman...

Le Jardin des Plantes

2010-05-17T03:01:00.000-07:00

My trip is going great and I am having the best time ever!

I am now on the train towards Leeds (free wi-fi, amazing for Italians) and, while watching the beautiful English countryside go by, I am catching up with your blogs and mine also!

I have so many things to share, this trip has been very inspirational and I am sure that Yorkshire will be the same!

While in Paris with my mom, we went to visit the Botanical Gardens and that was like a dream came true!!! They are big, full of blooming flowers and just perfect! We had a long and interesting walk and I have now lots of ideas for my own garden!

Words cannot express nature's beauty so... it's better to let the pictures speak for themselves!

Stay tuned because there's more to come!!!!

Il pleut doucement sur la ville

2010-05-11T12:45:00.001-07:00

Il pleut sur la ville, originally uploaded by piccolasamurai.

I made it to Paris! I'm enjoying this beautiful city with my mom even if it's raining and the weather is so cold it makes me want to take my winter coat with me!
Thanks to all your travelling wishes, they were useful!!!!!!
I will try to keep you updated with my travels!

Waiting for the cloud to dissolve...

2010-05-09T11:50:00.000-07:00

The best way to dissolve my anxiety over the ash cloud? Crafting of course!
So, instead of reading every 10 minutes all the Italian and French online newspapers looking for news, I took my sewing machine and made two different pillow covers for our small cottage couch.
The red one is very simple, it's just a fabric case, with no embellishments and no zipper. I overlapped the end on one side and I am still thinking of adding a few buttons... but I need to buy them, as I cannot find any I like in my drawers.
The other one, made with a thick striped cotton is my nemesis for today! I love it! I put a grosgrain ribbon I've had for at least 6 years in between the two sides and sewed all together. And I also managed to attach an invisible zipper!
These were very easy to make but I am nonetheless very excited in sharing them and I am very happy with the final result!

p.s. to tell the truth... I checked internet for news on the volcano every 11 minutes instead of 10... I couldn't help myself!

A European Journey... Eyjafjöll permitting...

2010-05-08T11:13:00.000-07:00

This is the exciting news I wanted to share with you all today!

On Tuesday I will be leaving for a 15 days journey across Europe!!! From Catania to Paris (three awesome mother-daughter days), to London (a friend's weekend), to Leeds (visiting my brother), to Milan (family and friends) and then back home.

But my feelings tonight are a bit different... the Iceland volcano is erupting again and travel flights could be difficult in the next few days. The red alert is for tomorrow but, when I travel, I tend to get a bit anxious before leaving... I really really really do hope that everything goes well and my flights will be regular!

Will you please keep all your fingers crossed for me? I would be so grateful... maybe a giveaway when I come back?

Impulse buy: Jelly Gladiators

2010-05-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

I have never been a gladiator sandal kind of girl. I always thought they were too fashion-y for me. But when yesterday I saw these beauties in a shop, I couldn't resist from buying them immediately. I can already picture me on the beach wearing them, paired with a vintage dress... and this moment is just 15 days away... parting me from the first trip to the beach is a beautiful journey across Europe... but this is another story that I will share with you tomorrow!!!

Do you ever feel the urge to buy something you never ever thought to wear?

A new home for my ID

2010-05-04T09:04:00.000-07:00

Remember my last post where I asked you to guess what I was making with some doilies, linen and polka dot cotton? I finally finished my new ID holder and am very proud to share with you all!

I've had the same ID holder for the past 15 years. It was a gift from my mom and I love it dearly but, after years of use it is now a bit battered and will feel better in one of my drawers.

I couldn't find a better challenge! I knew I couldn't find the perfect case where I live and I wanted to make myself something special, as I always give all the things I do to friends.

So I grabbed a few doilies, some vintage linen and began hand stitching them on the fabric.

I added some polka dot blue cotton for the lining. I love the contrast between the vintage exterior and the modern and funky lining. Using a vintage wallet as pattern, I ironed some interfacing to the linen and then sewed all together.

The stitching on the lining is far from perfect but my sewing machine wasn't working properly... I hope it's something temporary. I also embroidered my initials on the cover, it looks so stylish!

The only problem is it's too beautiful to just throw it in my bag... I will remember to put it in one of its pockets! Otherwise, seen the mess inside my bags, I doubt it will last 15 years!

p.s. thank you girls for the awesome comments on my last post!!! They absolutely made not just my day but my whole week!!!!

Unfolding chairs...

2010-04-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

I'm so proud and happy to unfold this brand new project today! I have worked on it on-off for the past two weeks and, to tell the truth, I wasn't sure of its result...

For a year and a half, boyfriend and I have shopped wherever possible to find the perfect chairs (and table, of course!) for "La Dépendance", the small cottage we rent during summer. We wanted something beautiful, sustainable and durable. But we were also looking for a bargain and for easy to store during the winter items.

Three weeks ago, while doing our grocery shopping, we spotted a folding table and chairs. Beautiful, affordable and, last but not least, made from a fair trade company with FSC wood. A dream came true. As soon as I saw these beauties (I know they're pretty basic chairs, but I have seen so many ugly ones that these are just perfect) I knew I had to make the best seat cushions ever!

Easier said than done, as always my mind figured out a great project that took long efforts to become reality... I used a striped cotton that I thrifted this winter at a market stall in Avola, some foam rubber, velcro, two spools of thread and a lot of patience!!!

They are far from perfect but they look great and they will do a great job during summer!
From now on, our guests will have a nice table to eat, read and play outside!!!

p.s. if you'd like to see more of our small cottage, click here and take a look at what I do daily...

Wild flowers

2010-04-23T00:08:00.000-07:00

Spring in the countryside is definitely the best season of the year. I should add that, in fact, Spring in Sicily starts at the end of January and the countryside has already been blooming for a couple of months. Anyway, time doesn't matter.

My favourite spot of the day, during this season, is my morning walk with Billy, my partner in crime (e.g. the dog). While he sniffs, barks and marks the territory, I wander and wonder, loosing myself in my thoughts. It's the perfect way to start the day, I rearrange my ideas and draw inspiration from this beautiful countryside.
As it is full of flowers, I often come back home with some of them, picking randomly or by colour.

I'm sure many of you do the same thing but this is how I do it:
1 - take your dog on a morning walk;
2 - pick the flowers you like most (do not pick endangered species);
3 - shake them to leave ants and insects where they belong (wild flowers are full of sooo little creatures);
4 - walk back home trying not to be eaten by all those ants;
5 - arrange your flowers in a vase;
6 - enjoy them for a lot of days, they will bring so much happiness to your house!

p.s. try not to do that while it's raining... as I did this morning... some of the poeasy of the moment could be replaced by a sniffing nose.... :-)

Some yellow in a gloomy day...

2010-04-18T10:14:00.000-07:00

While the sun is shining in Northern Europe, we experienced a real gloomy Sunday, very near to the typical weather in Milan. As moody weather affects me, I woke up this morning knowing I had to find a way to turn this gray day into something more colourful. So, without hesitation or tutorial searching, I gave myself a try in making stuffed animals.
I'm not very good when it comes to drawing but I always trace animals shapes and I love them. Today, a duck came out of my pencil!

I used some yellow felt and a printed cotton from Ikea I used a few years ago to make curtains. I embroidered the eye, the wing, the beak and a little white tail. Up to that point, huge success! Then, as I am calling myself an ungoddess for a reason, I did the wrong thing while sewing together the two parts... I used a straight stitch and a zigzag stitch because I wanted the sewing to be extra hard but, when I turned it inside out I found that, due to the zigzag, the stitiching was visible... and the beak was nowhere to be found... it stayed on the inside...
I stuffed it with an old Ikea duvet and hand-stitched the opening.

The duck is cute but it is not as beautiful as it was in my mind when I started this project, which is something that happens quite often to me... But I found it to be so relaxing and funny that, with the right amount of reading and searching, I will for sure be back soon with some other stuffed animal! Any links n this topic you'd like to share? Advice? Experiences?

Origami Jewellery

2010-04-14T07:02:00.001-07:00

Green Origami Butterfly Brooch, inserito originariamente da Satokos Origami.

As a child I loved to make Origamis. I loved to fold tiny coloured squares and give life to small animals.
So, imagine my wonder when I found this girl that makes origami jewellery. The butterfly pictured above is actually a brooch!

Feel like swapping?

2010-04-13T09:42:00.001-07:00

Spring is in full bloom and for me, it's the season of happiness!
So, I decided to celebrate it by joining the Hand Embroidery Network Swap!
The theme is Spring and I will have another chance to practice stitching!
If you love to stitch and would like to receive a small embroidered card from someone you don't know, here's the link to more infos.
As for me, I'm now off looking for inspiration!

p.s. that messy bundle contains some of my threads... maybe I should arrange it... or not?!

Edible flags

2010-04-13T00:30:00.000-07:00

While browsing through my Google Reader, I found this and couldn't overcome the temptation to share it.
These flags are just perfect, as is the use of iconic food for each country.

Head over to Trend Land and see more of them!

Here she goes!

2010-04-12T10:21:00.000-07:00

The second assignment of my embroidery course was harder. We had to mix embroidery and paper. At the beginning I was very excited because I knew from the first moment that I could finally use those Impressionists stamps that I bought a few years ago at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. As I mostly love the Charing Cross Bridge by Monet, I chose to stick to that palette and go for a soft pink hat profile and gray hair.
Stitching on stamps paper was difficult because of its thickness. It breaks if you pierce too hard with your needle. That's why the right bottom part is not perfect...
I decided to do a side braid and I am really pleased with the result. It has been my first time filling and I think it's really beautiful (and also my teacher says so!).
Altough I love the result, I feel it is not done yet. I feel it lacks something. My teacher says I have to think of her as a character and, as I used stamps, as a traveller. What would a traveller wear on her hat?
I'm mumbling over the asnwer... if you'd like to share ideas they would be highly appreciated!

In my pocket...

2010-04-08T10:06:00.000-07:00

Can you consider yourself a real crafter if, while wearing your trench for the first time this year, you put your hand in your pocket and find pins???

Guess what?

2010-04-07T12:21:00.000-07:00

Linen, doilies, embroidery thread and some blue polka dot cotton... can you guess what's coming?

A doily a day...

2010-04-06T06:52:00.001-07:00

My grandmother and great-aunt have not only been two of the most stylish ladies I've ever known (and at 90 my great-aunt still is), they also happened to left a very big collection of lace doilies to my mom and me... together with a ton of vintage hand-woven linen and cotton...
I managed to bring some of this amazingness here in my new house in Sicily but the largest quantity is still in my mom's house in Switzerland.
The question was simple: what to do with all these doilies?
I mean, I love them and am daily inspired by their shapes and intricate patterns but I'm not the kind of girl that puts doilies under a vase...
I wanted to find the cutest and most modern way in which to use them without loosing the vintage feel they have.
After months of searching and a lot of brain exercises I finally came up with something I just adore and which will only be the beginning of my doily project. I'm inspired to make more goods both for the craft room and for the house.

Please welcome my doily pincushion! It's made with a vintage hand-woven piece of linen and all the doilies have been hand sewn to it. I used a pretty big one for a face to give it a geometric pattern and for the other face I used four different round doilies. I stuffed it with an old duvet from Ikea. Everything was found in the house!

I'm in love with the result. I think it is really modern, chic and vintage, all at the same time!
I love the slightly dusted whiteness of this creation and I really feel that this was exactly what I was looking for!
I need to make another one for me as this one already took a flight to London together with my lovely friend Denise...

What do you think? Is it only vintage or has it a modern vibe? Would you love to use it?

Still alive!

2010-03-31T09:20:00.000-07:00

I'm sure than in one of my previous lives I must have been a desperate housewife and my karma now refuses to repeat that life. When it comes to cleaning I am not the right person to ask an advice to... I love to work from home and live in my cozy and happily decorated 35 square meters (yeah, I live in the country but my house is as big as a NYC flat) but I just hate to clean.
With Easter approaching I had to get my hands dirty and start the Spring cleaning. It's been two days since I started and I've been angry all the time. But, as disaster never comes alone, I have not just my house to "polish", I also have the small cottage we rent as a vacantion home. The same cottage I used during winter as my craft room. Therefore... not only cleaning but I had to pack all of my crafty possession and get them back in my little studio. They are now stored in plastic boxes eagerly waiting to be used. What gets me so frustrated is that I am itching to do some crafting but I can't...
I refused to pack my sewing machine yet and the half-finished Marie Skirt is lying on the ironing board abandoned... I really wish I can finish it for Easter!!!
But there's always something to be grateful for and something I really enjoyed to do:

take my beloved and half rotten red Converse out of their box and wash them

watch my Iris bloom

watch the first tomato growing

give a summery feeling to the small cottage we rent

repaint the cottage bathroom shelf with an eco paint

Any advice when it comes to cleaning in a good mood? I know some of you out there has a secret... please share!!!!!!!!!!

How I love snail mail!

2010-03-25T08:19:00.001-07:00

Just as I was heading to my craft room, I saw the postman van... Every time I see it I can feel excitement and happiness, I so love snail mail, it's always unexpected, as was today's package... I knew it was to come but I thought it would arrive next week...
Last week I won Biancifiore's giveaway... it was my first time winning and I was super excited to receive my lovely gifts! Biancifiore is a queen of recycling things and always comes up with precious crafts!!!! Her blog is only in Italian but pictures speak for themselves so, please go and say hello to her; if you have small kids you'll find tons of projects to make with your little ones.

Now back on my prizes... I won not just one but two sewing books!!!!!! Sewing for dummies (in Italian, finally I won't need a dictionary near my sewing machine) and Baby Patchwork. I do not have children but the art of quilting is something I find really interesting, so I will read it carefully and then give it a go! And there was also a beautiful handmade necklace... its colours are perfect for Spring!!!

But the biggest prize of all is a hand-made sewing kit!!!! Biancifiore herself made it recycling an egg carton! And inside there's all I need: threads, needles, pins, buttons and a very little pair of scissors! It's way too cute!!!!!! I'm in love!

Thanks Biancifiore for this awesome giveaway!!! I loved it! Now off to my brand new books, I'm going to study hard... I can see new creations coming!!!

What the world eats...

2010-03-22T10:42:00.000-07:00

I know this is a crafty blog but today I want to share a link with you. It deals with our planet and with what we eat every day.
A photographer and his wife went around the globe getting picture of the typical weekly grocery shopping in random families: US, Italy, France, Bhutan, India, China and so on.
The pictures are amazing and you can't watch them without reflecting on the disparity that reigns on Earth. For some people grocery shopping is packaging, colours and brands, for others it barely is a handful of rice.
Please follow the links and watch them, the time spent in looking at the images is really worth it.
Please help spread them too, it's important that every single soul on this Planet reflects on the topic aroused by these pictures.

What the world eats - Part 1

What the world eats - Part 2

What the world eats - Part 3

Blogging can help us make the world a little better, that's why I do it.

Glimpses of Spring... from my garden!

2010-03-20T11:12:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring to everyone! I know I am early because it officially starts tomorrow but I spent all day outside gardening gardening gardening!!! Awesome!!!!
These are a few details too beautiful not to be pictured (and posted)!
I hope the weather is warmer wherever you are!!!! Have a great weekend!

A too simple refashion?

2010-03-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

It took me more than one week but in the end I finally managed to post something on Wardrobe Refashion. I knew it was going to be tough... properly speaking I haven't done a refashion like those you can see on the blog... I just overdyed a white jacket that, because of its colour, hadn't been worn once in the last two years.

I bought it on sale at Zara in 2006 for less than 20€. I wore it a few times to go to work but when I lived in Milan boyfriend and I used to ride a scooter which was not the best for a white jacket. Last year, when we moved to the Sicilian countryside white became even more difficult to wear: our car is used both for going out and transporting country things, when I get home my dog is so happy to see me that he loves to put his usually muddy paws on my belly... So the white jacket went at the bottom of my wardrobe and lied there almost abandoned.

In the end, I decided to overdye it. I wanted it to be as black as the night and I also wanted to put a few lacey details in order to give it a more military look. I had a vintage triangular lace that was perfect to put on the shoulders as a fake flash.

I bought the dye and rummaged through all my ribbon boxes for a few hours until the washing machine hadn't finished.... not only the jacket was blue and not black but it is all white stitched. I guess that the thread is polyestere....

Ok, so no lacey black flashes on shoulders and black sequins... I can't believe something so simple went wrong.

So, after thinking of handstitching all the white thread in dark blue, putting a vintage lace on the collar and blue sequins on the shoulders (the last two can still come though), I went for simplicity and added this hand-made brooch that I bought in Madrid in 2006. It looks good to me!

Plus, boyfriend said that it looks like a sailor garment. I hadn't thought of that! I immediately went to my closet and wore the jacket on top of my striped tee... now I just have to say goodbye to this flu and welcome Spring!!!

Sashiko embroidery

2010-03-17T12:02:00.000-07:00

Spring seems finally to be here but I'm stuck inside with a cough and I don't feel like crafting. I just feel drowsy and stayed mainly on the couch with my netbook on the lap, surfing the internet and procrastinating.

(source)

However, in these last two days of browsing I found a few real gems... the one I love to share with you is Sashiko Embroidery. It is a Japanese running stitch used to reinforce old and thorn clothes. Fishermen were poor and couldn't buy new garments due to the expensiveness of cotton thread. Farmers also used it to quilt their outer jackets to stay warmer in winter.

I saw it on an old number of Marie Claire Idées and was immediately drew to it because of its
geometric patterns. As all things Japanese, it is mostly a matter of concentration and form. The process will bring you, through a rigid process of perfection, to a neat and geometric result.

I won't tell you more as there's a lot of great websites on this topic. Here are a few:

Sashiko group on Flickr

Sashiko stitchers - lots of infos and patterns

Sashiko tutorial from Handmaiden

Sashiko tutorial from The Purl Bee

Sashiko embroidery class from File Under Fiber

Sashiko stitching Right and Wrong - how to stitch perfectly

Did you know about Sashiko or is it new for you? Have you ever tried it? I haven't done it yet but can't wait.... a placemat set is on its way!!!!

My first she

2010-03-14T07:32:00.000-07:00

Finally I am able to share with you my first embroidery assignment.

I'm proud of my work as I had never embroidered anything before, except for cross-stitch and tapestry. I worked with stem stitch, french knots, split stitch and chain stitch. I added feathers on the hat because I wanted to give a '30s feel... can you feel it too?

I love this work and can't wait to start the second one... at the end of the course I should have 6 shes... I can't wait to frame them. Altough boyfriend is not too sure about that...

I want to thank you all girls for the lovely comments you left on my outfit post yesterday!!!! That was great for my self-confidence! You rock girls!

In wonderland

2010-03-13T03:07:00.000-08:00

I'm finally back home after experiencing another taste of winter in Switzerland... it was actually snowing on March 9th... where's Spring?
Here in Sicily the weather is not at all better... it's been raining really hard for a few days now... that means that all my garden projects went at the bottom of my to-do list.
I would love to say that this will mean a lot of time to craft but power went out in the small house I'm now using as craft room due to the rain and we still have to figure out why. I will crawl on my couch with my embroidery assignment and try to finish it!
Yesterday night we went to see Alice in Wonderland in 3-D and it was absolutely amazing! I never had the chance to see a movie in 3-D so I felt like a kid in a candy store. The colours, the plants and Alice's dresses were magnificent!!! They would have looked amazing on a red carpet! Oh... and what about the Mad Hatter's laboratory? Ribbons, fabric, feathers scattered everywhere, that was really the craft room of my dreams!!!!
Below it's a picture of what I wore. Even if this is not a fashion blog and will not become one in the future (as I don't have the confidence and don't feel too stylish), I felt so great wearing that clothes that I decided to share them with you. I felt pretty, sustainably stylish (most of the garments are vintage hand-me downs) and in some way it was my tribute to Alice and her beautiful Wonderland.

Crocheted hat - hand-made by grandma V.

Raincot - vintage, was grandma's E.

Black turtleneck - vintage, hand-me down from great-aunt

Crystal beads necklace - vintage, hand-me down from great-aunt

Skirt - vintage, hand-me down from a relative in Rome

Grey cardigan - hand-made by great-aunt

Black tights - Calzedonia

Black patent leather pumps - Mauro Leone

I love it even if I feel it is too country... ops, I was just forgetting that I live in the country therefore it's appropriate! What do you think?

Wardrobe Refashion

2010-03-05T07:19:00.000-08:00

After long hours spent thinking... after nights spent awake trying to figure out what to do... I took a deep breath and got myself in another trouble.... I entered the magical world of Wardrobe Refashion (button on the right)... for the next two months I pledged that instead of buying new clothes, I will refashion what I thrift, what I already own and build new items from my huge fabric stash!

I'm not a goddess when it comes to sewing... hence the name of my blog... I couldn't even understand in the Marie skirt sew-along that one small piece was to be used for the bottom of the skirt... but you learn only from your mistakes and only making things, so what could be best than trying to built up a spring/summer wardrobe from scratch?

It's a huge challenge and I'm really scared and excited at the thought!!!!

Did any of you took the pledge in the past? Any advice?

p.s. in order to start in the best possible way, I went out and bought new bobbins for my sewing machine, a gauge, some feathers (for my embroidery class), tracing paper for patterns, fabric and a small rotary cutter! Believe me... I feel like having bought a pair of Marc Jacobs flats... I'm so proud of my shopping!!!!

A messy crafting space

2010-03-02T14:13:00.001-08:00

This is how my crafty space looks like tonight after I ended the second dog bed for my mom.
I know, it's a tremendous mess and while I shouldn't be posting this, I also think that it shows all the effort and passion I put in my work today.
Fabric swatches are everywhere, thread spools are rolling on the floor and my favourite scissors have disappeared. Nonetheless, it was fun to treasure hunt in my own space.
First thing to do, tomorrow morning, is try to clean up and find the scissors. And... don't forget, packing my luggage... tomorrow night I'm flying to green Switzerland to visit my parents for a week. I'm soooo happy I'm getting to stay with them for a few days... in a place where's a huge sewing supplies shop, a huge craft shop and a very little vintage boutique....
How I love travelling!!!!!!!!

Weekend & Inspiration

2010-03-01T08:54:00.000-08:00

Weekend was spent working in the outdoors, tasting Spring!
On Saturday we cut down a huge pine tree that was partly uprooted by a strong wind last winter. We thought on calling a pro to do the work but finally, as money is tight and our spirit is too brave, we decided to do it ourselves. It was hard and dangerous but in the end the pine came down and nobody was hurt. I'm sorry we had to cut it down but now, from my front door, I can see the seaside. It's far but I can still see it!!!! Here is my new view:

As we hadn't worked enough the day before, on Sunday we went to Cava d'Ispica, a natural canyon some 20km away from our home, and helped the great guys of "Kalura", a group that wants to spread the passion of walking and trekking, in cleaning a path. We built stairs with wood and stones in a steep slope. The weather was beautiful and the company amazing, we went home tired but happy. Plus the place is magical. Really.

So, I had no time for crafting with my hands but in some spare time, I had the chance to take some inspiration from the web.
On Saturday I received via email the first assignment of my embroidery course. It's a huge challenge as I am only able to cross-stitch. We will experiment the basic of mixed media embroidery using as pattern a feminine silhouette. This week is all about "paint and stitch", experimenting watercolors and embroidery. I am quite scared in thinking to start this huge project but nonetheless I would love to find just five minutes to sit down with my threads and choose the right palette. The course is from the lovely Hand Embroidery Network which provides a lot of free tutorials on basic stitches.
Through them I also found this beautiful website, more a network, called Colour Lovers, where you can browse through tons of palettes, patterns and colours. It's great to find some inspiration and, why not, some new and bold combinations. You can even create and download your personal colour scheme. I'm looking forward to finding the time for browsing it as it deserves.
Any weekend inspiration or adventure you want to share?

Something good for a teacher!

2010-02-25T09:26:00.000-08:00

My best friend is a teacher and she lives in Milan, therefore we don't see each other too much. For her birthday, I wanted to make something she could use everyday at school, so she would always be reminded of me... I'm getting too romantic but I guess that's because I really miss her...
After quite a few hours spent surfing the web, googling all type of keywords (I also typed "best friend tutorial"... and something really cute came out), I found this tutorial, from the blog Bits and Pieces, and knew instantly that it was what I had looking for all afternoon!!!
It's a file folder cover, perfect for keeping all the sheets a teacher usually has with her! And it's something she doesn't have yet! I'm sure of that!

So, as I am not a quilter nor I have supplies for quilting, I went for a beautiful fabric from Ikea (I bought it several years ago and never used because it was too beautiful) and a blue cotton muslin for the lining. It should have been stiffer but fusible interfacing is something unkwown to the lovely lady of the place where I usually buy my supplies. Her shop is really small and everything is covered by dust... she is not very modern but has some real treasures in her drawers and she has a lot of patience. Every time I have strange questions she always listens carefully and then comes up with a solution!
Getting back to interfacing, the most similar fabric to it is something called "camel's hair" in the local dialect. It's quite stiff and there's some kind of glue only on one side.
Well, anyway, the result is quite good to me, colourful and stylish.

Now I just have to learn how to take better pictures... I swear, in real life it looks much better!

Stranding pearls

2010-02-24T10:44:00.000-08:00

Two Christmas ago, my boyfriend's mom and his sister gave me a two-stranded pearl necklace, saying that I could refashion it the way I wanted.
Well, it took me two years but today I made a long pearl and silver necklace that will be great in my summer parties! I am completely in love with the final product, it's very simple yet elegant. Plus it's so long that I can wear it loose or in two strands around my neck or as a bracelet.

What do you think? Will my other necklaces keep it good company?

Vicky's dog bed

2010-02-23T10:53:00.001-08:00

Vicky and Dolly are my parents' dogs. They are sweet, big and I just love them! They are the queens of my mom's house but what's a queen without a throne?
Well, basically they already have two fluffy dog beds in which they snore all day but I wanted to add a touch of me. This dog bed in fact is a huge pillowcase, so the real bed can fit in.

I used some fabrics that have been in my stash for years... the patterned one is from Ikea, the red one came from my boyfriend's mom and the brown came from my great aunt's house. I bought only the striped one which costed €2 at a market stall in Avola (it's the only place in which to thrift here). I wanted it to be cheerful and colourful but I also wanted it to fit my mom's taste.
It seems like a did some quilting but believe me, I had never done anything like this before. Trying to match the angles was really challenging and, once finished, I was far more then just stressed out.

In order to hide raw edges on the inside, I lined the upper part with an old bed sheet.

The whole product looks great to me but here are some details... far from perfect... I guess that Vicky will still be thankful! She will for sure lick me all over my face (she does that all the time...)!

I still have Dolly's one to finish... we'll see if I can learn from my mistakes...

Hello!!!

2010-02-22T10:29:00.000-08:00

Some might think that the world wide web doesn't need a new blog (sometimes even I do...) but I want to give myself a chance. I've been following the crafty community for a year now and I learned a lot from it. I followed tons of tutorials, seen videos and asked questions to a lot of bloggers. So, in my quest to become a crafty goddess, I guess that be an active part of this community could help. Moreover, I feel that having a schedule, even if virtual, can help me in being more productive with my projects. So far, I have a few projects to end before February is over. Two dog beds for my mom, a pouch for my great aunt, a gift for my best friend, a tapestry embroidery... Well, we'll see what I can do! And don't forget the One Pearl Button Sew Along... Alli, who is a real crafty goddess , will teach how to make a skirt with pleating and waistband... I'm looking for the perfect fabric! Just another little note: I am Italian and a non native English speaker. This blog is also a great way for me to improve my English and get better better at it everyday. Please, if there's a mistake, do not hesitate to correct me, that's really what I'm looking for! And now... off making dinner (it's 8pm in sunny Sicily...)!