Moonstone

** Om deze post in het Nederlands te lezen, klik je hier **

A fabric with a dreamy name and a beautiful print, that is Moonstone by Atelier Brunette. I had set myself the goal to use up some of my stash before buying new fabrics, but this one made me fail. It was just so soft that I had bought it before I even had the time to think about it.

To prevent my stash from growing I used it up right away. In the Dutch pattern magazine Knipmode I found a pattern for a flowy blouse, perfect for this lightweight fabric.
 

The fabric was so sheer that I interfaced all seams as I learned from Olga's patterns. For the sleeve hems I used super soft elastic binding.

The only reason why this simple blouse looks so sophisticated is because of the amazing photos. Now guess who took them? A little hint in the picture below:

Not quite what you'd expected, right? My little friend Liv, 9 years old, did all the photography for me.



I set the camera to automatic mode and let her experiment with it. Well, that was not exactly what she wanted. "The light doesn't look good", she told me, "how can I change it?" So I explained my 9-year-old about shutter speed and diaphragm, and told her how to focus manually. She listened carefully and this is what she came up with. Isn't it amazing? This kid and her endless patience ♥



When she grows up, she'll be a photographer, she told me. I bet she'll be a great one.

Fabric: Moonstone Pink, Atelier Brunette, bought at Lanalotta

Pattern: Top 25, Knipmode december 2013, size 36

Photographer: Liv 

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Vienna in blue

** Om deze post in het Nederlands te lezen, klik je best hier **

I don't have kids of my own. Well, not yet. Being a university student, parenting would not make a perfect combination (ahem - understatement) with passing my exams. But this little kid, she stole my heart.

A few years ago, when she was only a toddler just starting school, I did some volunteer work at the local kindergarten. She was shy and in need for someone to comfort her; and somehow I felt it was my task to care for her.

Day by day her shyness lessened and she became more confident. Seven years later she is a happy little lady with lots of friends. But her one and only Best Friend, that's me. (Or at least that is what she tells me ;-) ) She writes me notes telling how much she loves me and brings me crafts filled with hearts. And even if she wouldn't, I could just read that in her eyes every time she looks up at me.

She is such a creative and talented little girl and I love her just as much as she loves me. Sewing is my favorite type of craft so I sew her dresses to express my love. And I bet she feels it, because the Eva-mades appear to be her favorites and she is extremely thankful for everything I sew for her.

This time I made her a Vienna dress, a pattern by Kaatjenaaisels and Bel'etoile. From the moment I saw the design of the dress I knew it would be perfect for Liv. She doesn't like clothing to be too tight on her as she likes to dance through her days.

For our Tulip dress & top pattern I worked together with Katrien, so I knew she is an excellent pattern designer with an eye for detail. After Tulip, she released another two dress patterns: Vienna and Nena. From now on, both of them are available in English too (Tulip was translated to English one year earlier), as pdf patterns with super detailed photo instructions. And you know what? To celebrate the English release, you get a 10% discount using the code INSTAPARTY ! Hop over to her shop to check out, I promise you won't regret!

Liv turned 9 in August but is rather tall, so I sewed her the size 10, which is a perfect fit. Both Liv and I are in love with Vienna!

I think the flutter sleeves and the gathered dress look really cute on her, while the V-shaped back and the plain blue bodice give it a more grown-up feel. Doesn't she look like a little lady in it?

This girl, I am so proud of her, of the way she looks at the world, open and a little naive, with care and detail. I feel so grateful for being part of her journey. Not always the easiest one, but sure a beautiful one.

Pattern: Vienna Dress - size 140 - by Kaatjenaaisels and Bel'etoile - pdf for sale here

Fabrics: Cocquelicot Bleu (Petit Pan), combined with plain dark blue quilting cotton

Model: Liv (9yo)

*None of the links are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.*

The Far North

I am not at all a skilled nature photographer, but I love these images so much that I just had to share them. After my exams I had a one-week holiday from which I spent two days somewhere in the high North (Well, haha, I didn't. I just drove to the Dutch coast, about two hours north from where I live, but it was so freezing cold that it felt like I had travelled to Scandinavia or so.)

It was freezing, sometimes even snowing, and the only things I did were walking and taking pictures. Nothing to worry about, only me, my camera and the sea.

I'm sorry for the overload of pictures! ;) If you're only interested in the giveaway winner, just scroll down. No hard feelings ;)

The second day I walked the "bunkerroute", a short trail through the dunes with the remains of German bunkers from WWII.

After that I walked down towards the coast. It had started snowing really badly by then, and when I reached the beach, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was as if I was on the moon: everything was covered in white. So beautiful! (None of these pictures are edited, these are the original colors)

And in this freezing weather, I suddenly noticed a shrimp fisher checking his nets.

To conclude, I'll announce the winner of the Sewing Happiness give-away! Your comments on the Dutch and English blog were all so sweet, thank you so much! I haven't had the time to reply to all of them yet but I certainly will. The winner is Zijkant, congratulations! You can contact me at withlovebyeva(at)hotmail(dot)com.

My favourite pictures of 2016

My blogging friend Lies asked me for my favourite pictures of 2016, so here they are! Some of them were chosen for the moment they represent, others because the picture itself makes me smile. Enjoy!

JANUARY. A simple picture taken with my phone, but such a great moment. Mid-January yet on our terrace it felt like summer. The examens had just finished and my brother and I spent the whole afternoon playing board games outside.

FEBRUARY. Suse in her Ileanadress. The first time I photographed kids in Manual mode and I still love the result.

MARCH. The first summer sunbeams lit our kitchen windowsill and my best friend Jan and I just sat there and enjoyed the warmth.

JUNE. Right after the exams, I spent a week with two dear friends. Just relaxing and making time for each other. This picture was taken on a bike tour when we suddenly decided to pick some flowers for a spontaneous bouquet.

JULY. My sister and my little cousin in Valencia. Nothing was edited, these were the natural colors of the salt lakes.

 JULY. Again my sister in Valencia, again an unedited picture. I love the light!

AUGUST. My biggest project of 2016: our Tulip Dress and Top pattern!

AUGUST. Suddenly my sister and our two guests decided they wanted to sew something, there was no space left in my sewing room for me!

AUGUST. Loes in the Just Knot It dress I sewed for her. I love the pop of color against her dark skin!

SEPTEMBER. A week of camping in France with a dear friend. 

DECEMBER. Christmas walk with torchlights and another dear friend.

I wish you all a beautiful 2017 !

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