Five Favorites: Birthday Round Up Edition

My birthday (35, in case you were wondering) was on the 22nd of July, and I received many lovely gifts from my family this year.  I also purchased a few things recently since the sales are good at this time of the year, and I have narrowed down my sewing and knitting projects into a specific list (I'll probably have a post on my fall and winter sewing plans soon).  

 --1--

Cool jewelry.  I received several pieces of jewelry for my birthday, including this great clock necklace, which came with a bonus pipe charm in the box.  

I thought it looked like something from Sherlock Holmes and have worn it several times already.  

A Luxulite brooch!  I love these--so fun, so bright.  I also had a Modcloth account credit that I used to purchase a fun retro camera necklace.  I've worn it a few times already, and one night during prayers, I was holding Birdie, and she was fingering the necklace, and then she leaned in and whispered, "Cheese!"  It was hilarious.  I couldn't stop laughing.

 --2--

Great fabric.  I got two fabric lengths, both vintage, both lovely.  The first is a super soft, super drapey 80s rayon fabric, that I think will be enough to get a blouse out of; I have a 1950s pattern in mind to try with it, but I've heard rayon is a bit tricky to work with, so I'm going to wait until I have a bit more time and mental space to deal with it (plus I need to muslin the pattern first).  The other is a vintage percale (I had thought it was feedsack, but after feeling it, I'm pretty sure it is a percale), and there is enough for a blouse.  I'll probably make a button-down Portrait blouse or perhaps a long sleeve Balcarra.

--3--

Sewing supplies.  My sister gave me a bottle of antique buttons, in which there were some very cool carved ones.  She also gave me a pair of embroidery scissors (nippers!) that I intend to wear on a chain around my neck to use to clip thread while sewing.  

My husband gave me a French curve, which I'm super excited about, as I'm starting to gain confidence when I fiddle with patterns, and having the French curve would help my pattern fixes to come out more evenly.

--4--

Accessories!!  My parents gave me a pair of navy blue Salt Water sandals, and I love them.  It took a day to stretch them enough to be comfortable, but now they are perfect.  I prefer slip-on style shoes, but I've figured out where to buckle them so I can slide them on and off without undoing the buckle.  These are the perfect casual summer sandal.  My youngest sister gave me a pair of vintage-style sunglasses, also much appreciated as my kids tend to destroy whatever sunglasses happen to fall into their paths.  I do try to keep them up out of reach, they still manage to get a pair or two every year.

--5--

Patterns!  (and a bit more fabric): This isn't technically a birthday present, but this time of year we have a bit more room in the budget for discretionary purchases, so I bought some patterns I've had my eye on for a while, including the Emery dress pattern, the Hollyburn skirt, and the Balcarra blouse pattern (which I got with a sale code from Lladybird).  I also bought some fabric I've had in mind for several projects, including some Shetland flannel and some novelty print quilting cotton.  Since my beloved wool pencil skirts from two winters ago are still too small (and I've given up hope of fitting back into them), I have in mind to try Gertie's pencil skirt pattern with the flannel.  I also plan to make an Emery and Hollyburn with the novelty prints (watch this space!)

Go see Heather for more Five Favorites!