Here's a bonus button. This one is from Lynne's collection, but I think I may have one like it deeply buried in my container o' buttons.

I chose this button even though I'm not a big fan of pies (sorry, Agent Cooper) because Wednesday provided a spontaneous pie night with friends. On a whim, Tom called The Brides to see if their tight schedule allowed for dinner, and it did, as long as Lindsey could later use my kitchen for baking. So we had a raucous evening with Tom, Tim, Rhonda, Lindsey, me, Margot, Guinness, Rex, Pixie, Sugar, and Puddles--the puppy also known as Pixie's Mini Me.

Later, while I sewed, the house filled with the aroma of baking. Lindsey was making pies in a jar, which involved a lot of cutting apples into cubes and some apple-cube eating (The bowl was right in front of me! I couldn't help myself! There were plenty!). There were also a couple of side trips to the grocery store and Starbucks in there. And when Lindsey finally filled all the jars, there were enough apple cubes left over (SEE?) to fill a couple of ramekins. One of which is still in my kitchen, looking adorably edible.



More Thankgivingy stuff to come, but for now, HAPPY THANKSGIVING to everyone who celebrates it, and for those who don't, just know I'm thankful that you're part of my life.

I'm trotting out (get it? trotting? turkey trot?) last year's photo because I'm getting such a late start today on Hump Day Happy. Blame Rex and an unplanned visit to the vet. (He'll be fine.)

I'm changing things up a little for today. If you will please comment and tell me something you're thankful for, I'll find a random selection in the happy book to give you in return.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and I'll be spending it with people and dogs I love--can't ask for better than that. I hope all of you who celebrate the holiday, as well as my friends across the globe, have the kind of love and friendship in your lives that I'm fortunate enough to enjoy.

Regarding my own happiness, this dress and wrap dazzle me. It's a fantastic look for her.

AP Photo

That's a photo I shot in Chelsea when I was in NYC in 2007. It's one of my favorite window photos.

As you might surmise, I haven't been posting or commenting much because I'm sewing. But I AM reading you, so don't try to slip anything by me. I'm like Santa that way. Or a mother. Or a Compound dog when someone's in the kitchen. Or the Talamasca. (Hi, MGH.)

Enough with the similes. Right now, one of my models is posed in front of me wearing a design I just finished and she's SO FREAKING ADORABLE. I'm having a lot of fun with this collection because I'm making myself take on new challenges. I know that some of my readers are not into the doll stuff and the fashion; others of you will see it, evaluate and comment on it, then move on and forget it. For me, however, there has to be a reason to do this beyond just making doll clothes. I have to learn something from it or take something from it that I can use in the future.

To wit:

I begin with raw materials. The doll comes first. Then I choose fabrics after much consideration of color and texture. Once I've settled on those, I begin to create a context that includes structure and story. I create new patterns or modify old ones to cut my design pieces. Then I start putting the pieces together. Very often, this involves a lot of frustration. I make false starts. I do things wrong and have to rip them out and redo them. Sometimes I throw everything away and start fresh. Eventually, I have a look. Then I choose how to accessorize it, enhance it. Sometimes it all requires research. Sometimes I need another pair of eyes for praise, criticism, or input. Sometimes I need help doing something I haven't tried before.

Finally, where there was nothing, there's suddenly something!

For those of you who create in the visual or performing arts, I don't know how much of this is relevant to you. But for those who have asked what my writing process is, go back and read that paragraph.

I always begin with a character. Like each doll I work with, my character becomes my muse. Everything I'm going to develop in terms of plot, setting, point of view, or theme, for example, is structured based on who that character is. Conflicts, career, relationships--these are how I accessorize and enhance my character. And writing has all the same frustrations: starting and restarting, deleting, talking through some snag with someone who understands my writing style. For each new work of fiction, I have to try new things, meet new challenges, to keep the process from feeling stale.

Finally, where there was nothing, there's suddenly something!

It's possible that I've begun to forgive myself for my year of not writing. It's possible that all this sewing and painting and photographing things were ways of refilling my creative well. It's been kind of crazy to have a fully-formed character in my head for several months now, to wake up thinking about her and figuring out more things about her life, to even talk about her and her story to other writers, and STILL not be writing. I guess she's just not posed right in front of me yet, looking SO FREAKING ADORABLE that I can't resist her.

Thanks to everyone who commented and e-mailed about my runway post from Monday. I do need to clear up something. I didn't make a lot of those clothes. They are vintage and new Mattel (or Mattel knock-offs). I'm going to put some thumbnails behind the cut of exactly what I did make. Because I'd never take credit for anyone else's work. Except maybe, you know, Tim's. ;)

( Click here to see what I did sew if you're interested. )
The Hump Day Happy post will be up later! Thanks for your patience.

Tonight, Runway Monday has put together a runway show at an undisclosed location to feature this season's final collection by Becks. You've been checking out her looks for the past few months. Now she's accepted the final season-six challenge of Lifetime's Project Runway to create thirteen looks in a cohesive collection.

I'm your pre-show host, Heidi Gunn. It looks like we'll have a full house tonight.

( And a post full of photos behind this cut. Click here if you want to see more. )

I think continually of those who were truly great.
Who from the womb, remembered the soul's history
Through corridors of light where the hours are suns,
Endless and singing. Whose lovely ambition
Was that their lips, still touched with fire,
Should tell of the Spirit clothed from head to foot in song.
And who hoarded from the Spring branches
The desires falling across their bodies like blossoms.

What is precious is never to forget
The essential delight of the blood drawn from ageless springs
Breaking through rocks in worlds before our earth.
Never to deny its pleasure in the morning simple light
Nor its grave evening demand for love.
Never to allow gradually the traffic to smother
With noise and fog the flowering of the spirit.

Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields
See how these names are feted by the waving grass
And by the streamers of white cloud
And whispers of wind in the listening sky.
The names of those who in their lives fought for life
Who wore at their hearts the fire's center.
Born of the sun they traveled a short while towards the sun,
And left the vivid air signed with their honour.

Stephen Spender


Photos 1996, my personal archives

You know it.

Current Photo Friday theme: Vehicle

This is "Faith," a 1984 Camaro art car.

I've featured this cup before, but classics--like the Beatles themselves--are always worth another appearance. Today I'll be checking in between sewing sessions, so if you want something from one of these books to be happy about, please comment with a page number between 1 and 611, and another number between 1 and 25, and I'll make sure you get answers during my coffee breaks.

Spotted cat getting sun in a second-floor window.


Was spotted back.


Cat showed utter disregard for camera and photographer.

Just a silly bonus cell phone photo because it makes me laugh and may do the same for you.