Behind the Curtain

Keeping me in good spirits...

Mail goodies have started to creep in at the new apartment. One of which was a crumpled letter from Nikki with a photo of an Everything Will Be OK piece and a photocopy of an article with wonderful stuff for my thesis. Everything a gal needs to keep her going in the last months of her masters program. She is the keenest.

Donovan also gifted me with a handmade letter portfolio for writing letters on the go. It is oh so very cool and even has a place for stamps. You can get your own at her Etsy shop. Donovan and I are also working on new stationery for 16 Sparrows. I think we will be unveiling a new line sometime next week.

In the move I rediscovered many things I forgot about or thought I lost. One of which is a honking ring that used to be my grandmother's. She gave it to me as a teen - it was made by an artist in Venezuela. I never wear rings anymore, but I'm giving this one a chance. It makes me feel like Renée Perle when I wear it. Also, the weather in Chicago has been very spring-like, making it very possible that spring may be coming soon...maybe?

The First

Moving went well and we have been unpacking quite swiftly, we are almost done actually. Even though I'm away from school, I'm still very much in it. In fact, I think this quarter will be more busy than when I was in classes! I took some time this weekend to relax with some baking and got the chance to break in my "new" Fire King jadite mixing bowl. Hmm...I'll have to get my hands on some more of this kitchen glassware.

Moving House

I'm pretty much all packed up and am just waiting for the movers to come in and load all my stuff into a truck. Sadie and I will be on a flight back to Chicago at the end of the week and after a year and a half I'll finally be back home. I'm going to take some time away from blogging in order to get settled and all that wonderful nerve-wracking fun that comes with moving. The next post in the series of vintage inspired outfits will go up next week, but otherwise I'll see you back here sometime in the beginning of April.

Same ol'view

I really love my office and the light it gets, but right now, I'm quite sick of it. Oh, I can't wait until I'm finished with my papers and this quarter is done with - it's been a tough one. Yay for grad school.

Stitch by Stich

I left my sewing machine in Chicago, but I've been doing some hand sewing between writing and researching. It is quite relaxing to take a task like sewing by hand. I haven't done so for so many years now, I forgot what it was like to step away from the machine. I need to try to do it more often.

Slips & Flibbertigibbets

I'm in love with my new slip from doublespeak. I really wanted to get her "Yours till niagara falls" full slip, but it isn't my size. Ah, maybe she'll make others with that saying.

I'm currently reading a book written in 1929 – one of the elderly characters referres to flappers as "those flibbertigibbets running about these days showing more of their legs than the Creator ever intended them to." Ha! I need to work "flibbertigibbets" into more conversations.

Silk and yellow pages

With finals nearing and my final quarter (before my thesis) coming to a close, I haven't had much time for pleasure reading or sleeping. Quite a shame, especially when I have such a lovely new eye mask and a wonderful vintage book on my hands. I got this luscious purple silk eye mask for free when I picked-up a lovely lingerie set from Ayten Gasson (NSFW - you can purchase this handmade line from La Magia). The book, well, that is just an addition to my very large Agathe Christie collection. Speaking of which, with my impending move, I need to get rid of some of my Christie books, so here's a list of some for sale:

All the books books listed below are used paperbacks and are $4.50, which includes first-class shipping. Email me if you are interested: 16sparrows (at) gmail (dot) com.
• Appointment with Death, Hercule Poirot mystery, view plot
• Thirteen at Dinner (Also published as Lord Edgware Dies), Hercule Poirot mystery, view plot
• Death on the Nile, Hercule Poirot mystery, view plot
• Evil Under the Sun, Hercule Poirot mystery, view plot
• Curtain, Hercule Poirot mystery (the last one), view plot
• The Moving Finger, Miss Marple mystery, view plot
• The Tuesday Club Murders (Also published as The Thirteen Problems), Miss Marple mystery, view plot 

Tiny Living

Nifty things for small spaces
• Over-cabinet towel bar
• Corner sink cutting board
• Over-door ironing board holder
• Tiny pot rack

Dream Sewing

There are a few things I've had my eyes on for quite a while that I hope to be able to purchase sometime this year. On the very top of the list, a new sewing machine.

The one I have now is just a dinky portable that was conducive to my nomadic ways when I purchased it 5 years ago. I keep shying away from certain sewing projects because I know I won't be able to accomplish them with my current machine. I'm planning on making a lot of my own clothing this year and in order to do that, I need a machine that can handle the job. My dream machine is a Bernina Activa 220. I've already started saving my pennies, but with a price tag of $800 (gulp!) I most likely won't be able to get this machine until the end of the year! Blah. But, its probably the last sewing machine purchase I'll ever have to make.

And, to keep on the sewing theme, here are the patterns I hope to stitch this year:
Mimi Puffy Sleeved Blouse
Tonia Cape
Ladies' Frock with Handkerchief Hem, circa 1929 (definitely need the Bernina for this!)
Ladies' Deco Blouse, circa 1934
Ladies' Three-Piece Ensemble, circa 1934
Ladies' Blouse and Jumper, circa 1936 (So freakin' cute!)
Ladies' Dress, circa 1932
Knickerbockers

I know I've mentioned some of these patterns before, but I don't see any harm in linking them again. They are quite wonderful looks.

Hello Monday