I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.
Thanks for your kind thoughts on my last post (also, no I didn’t delete your comments. Blogger was broken for a day and many of your comments disappeared. boo.). I want to distill my thoughts: Writing and I have always galloped creekside, hand-in-hand. Occasional trips over rocks and bouts of dehydration but, for the most part, we get each other. A little blissed out lovefest replete with challenges and satisfaction, driven by an understanding of our foundation. Writing and I went through a rough patch for a few weeks. Too much diversion. We went to therapy. We are once again lovers.
I am interested in being better. That means questioning, pushing. Sometimes my brain exhausts me. And, sometimes, I write about that.
So, hey! It is the weekend! I have lots of social and outdoor things to look forward to. And I sewed myself some new things which makes socializing and outdoorsing fun and exciting.
super simple little sleeveless tunic: two pieces of fabric, four straight lines of stitching, no hemming
I am really getting into making my own patterns by tracing parts of other articles of clothing and shoving them together. My approach isn’t very sophisticated. I cut and piece things together as I go, I leave raw edges, I make spontaneous decisions with scissors late at night while sipping wine. It is seriously so fun and I think I am getting better.
I didn’t have enough fabric for two long sleeves so the green (with tiny pink skulls) sleeves were a last minute choice. At first I had long bell sleeves but chopped them off and added a matching stripedy cuff. My mistake was cutting the neck opening a bit too big.
I actually have a little summer line I am making for myself. Why not? I can use fabric I have in my stash and hijack my favorite components from other pieces of clothing and stitch up new favorites.
Also in the studio: I, with the assistance of dig seamstress Kathie, have been making many new upcycled kid skirts, potholders customizable with your favorite state or country (hello perfect gift item!) and a smattering of tees and hoodies.
I only have a few kid skirts listed, many more in all sizes coming soon.
In March, I donated 20% of one week’s sales to Global Giving’s Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. Thanks to your purchases, a small but important donation went to that effort. I am going to begin doing this regularly for different organizations whose work I value.
From now through May 18, 20% of my shop sales will be donated to the Missoula chapter of the YWCA. See, this way we get to enjoy little bits of both halves of E.B. White’s sentiment.
Wishing you all a fantastic weekend with a healthy balance of improving and enjoying.
xo,
dig
ps Hop on over to dig sponsor Walking Stick Toys facebook page and leave a comment for a chance to win a super sweet marble track.
pps Another by E.B. White:
All we need is a meteorologist who has once been soaked to the skin without ill effect. No one can write knowingly of the weather who walks bent over on wet days.
:: :: ::
all photos taken with a Canon Digital SLR from Vanns.com
23 Comments
Not sure if I can pick which of what you create I love the most right now. Well, obviously Margot and Ruby tie for the top of the list. Sweet, hip skirts. Hot, sexy shirts. Clear, clever-crafted prose. Hmm, can’t choose. Darn Blogger…..this morning had me feeling like I’d given my words, my pics to a total stranger.
The clothes are making are so good! also I always stand upright when walking in the rain. I like to soak it all in so to speak lol
Love the top you made! Super cute… and I have to admit that I am drooling over your cat. He (right?) is deliciously plump. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
Love the new tops! I think they’re fabulous. 🙂 I hope to be able to use my sewing machine like you have someday!
Love the tops! And there’s nothing wrong with a little accidental 80s in the super-scooped neckline! Beautiful! And some E.B. White was apparently just what I needed this morning. Thank you!
The kidding comment…Maybe you’ll bring back Flash Dance fashion with the scooping neckline. 🙂
The serious comment…The way you described your relationship with writing and that last photo…amazing!
LOVE that last picture!!!! I read your last post after one too many Skinny Girl Margaritas lol I need to go reread it, can’t for the life of me remember what it was about lol I was shopping at Forever 21 with my teenage girls yesterday and kept thinking to myself, I can make this stuff! I got a great shirt that hides all my fluff without looking dumpy, think I am going to try to recreate it in a couple of different fabrics. I love your new clothing, especially the first top, very flattering.
Inspiring quote and words, Nici. Great post! Love the skirts. And, I’m hopeful that one day you’ll be adding the ‘mama’ collection to your Dig shop.
Have you thought about joining 1% For The Planet? Yvon(Patagonia) started the organization and it’s grown substantially. I can send you some additional info if you want.
Happy Weekend, friend. xo
Oh man, that shirt is a keeper! I would love to know how to stitch something like that.
Writing and I have always galloped creekside, hand-in-hand.
One of the best sentences ever written.
Heads up, western writers: Nici Holt Cline has posted!
Gorgeous stuff woman; wear it in good health, happiness and sassiness.
I love you Burb….so much.
Super cute tops and the last picture – breathtaking!!!
Wow, that last photo is amazing! I love your play with fabrics and the new items look really sweet!
I just love your creativity! Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Wow! I agree with Susan S…..one of the best sentences ever!
LOOOVE the children’s yellow sweater skirt & your new tops. I’ve been trying to look at my clothes differently lately; like what can I make of this and that? I feel so frumpy….still nursing by 9 mo. old Nora Girl (which I love) but still nothing fits. Dumb question: Are the 4 straight lines down the sides and across the shoulders? I just might have to try this one!
Oh, and I knew you didn’t delete any comments from the last post(or was pretty sure, anyway)….just was bummed that I wrote something I thought was encouraging, only to have it disappear into blogland 🙂
Happy socializing 🙂
Kelly
Who took that last shot? Amazing. Love it for so many different reasons. Lighting. Setting. Content.
So when will you be buying a custom form for yourself? 🙂
-Jennifer from Annapolis
that last photo of you and the girls dripping in sunlight? so. hot!!
i also love your clothes! yay, make more and sell them! i personally love the wider neck, very dancer-y. and i prefer clothes that go seamlessly (ah, bad pun!) from mommy to work to yoga/dance to perhaps (if i am in a super good fantasy here) a casual night out . . .
xo!
Do you know I have a tattoo of the outline of Vermont on my right leg? I DIG states. Washington and Vermont in particular. Let me get to a place where I have a little extra $, and then be prepared to VT and WA up a whole buncha stuff….first off, the clingy hoody that Andy is wearing in that photo!
xoxo
Melina
Love your work, love what you stand for. Love that your kids clothing line is smart, gorgeous and making way for a better day on this planet (with upcycling). I have recently been buying upcycled clothes for my kids. I live in NZ and hope to get a sewing machine soon so I too can start making their own clothes. Thanks for the inspiration! Digging you chick!!
Okay, my favorite thing about that shirt is your mistake. The wide neck MAKES it, Baby. I sense you’re back. I loved your last post and even more love this one because you’re past it…runnin’ creekside. That pic of Andy sportin’ the hoodie rocks. He looks too cool. And you look so beautiful with that cat. Like a confident, content mama. xoxo
Wow I LOVE the new clothes.
And I LOVE that you write about how your brain exhausts you because that is something I can completely relate to. And writing about it always helps to recharge.
You are one talented mama!
Thank you, Your writing has helped me,,
i like this blog,,
By Diet Solution Program