marie-madeline studio

snow.stitch.snow.stitch.snow.stitch.snow

Brr!  It's cold outside.  We received our first snow of the year Thursday, more Friday, and more yesterday.  So, you might say we're snowed in.  Abiah and I went out Saturday for a little fresh (chilly) air, and I did get talked into sledding (which dressed for I was not) on a plastic trash can lid shaped thingy.  Now I have proof of it -- big bruises on my shins.  Ahh.

So, while being stuck inside we've watched quite a few movies and listened to loads of music, especially Christmas-y ones, decorated our tree, and I've been stitching, stitching, stitching by the fire. 

Keep Warm! xoxo Achaia

A Fabulous Friday.

Friday always reminds us to enjoy the simple things.  We plan on plopping on the couch for movies and pizza in just a couple hours.  Have a great weekend! xox

{Achaia's picks}

1. Jackie Kennedy's famous pink boucle suit

2. something to hang onto

3. dancing is one of my very favorite things to do!

4. Boden's festive clothes are awesome -- love her sparkly shoes too!

{Abiah's picks}

1. I'm working so this can be me!!  I love her outfit too!

2. love this quote

3. I love pencil skirts and these are so cute!!  I am especially partial to the bottom middle three.

4. 25 DIY ideas for an outdoor movie night

{Kristie's picks}

1. I love vintage His & Hers or Mr. & Mrs. pillowcases!

2. I'm so excited for the new Flower Sugar to arrive in January

3. Pam Kitty Picnic arrived today! (And should be up on the site tomorrow!!)

4. Wonderful book (especially for reading around this time of year.)

{Abigail's picks}

1. my adorable, furry friend Brandywine

2. North to Alaska

3. paint makes me want to paint, especially when they're this lovely

4. Pam Kitty! (And all of our friends at Quilt Market!)

{Apphia's picks}

1. One of my all-time favorite sweaters

2. thinking ahead!

3. Plaid and denim and quilting and rhinestones

4. 50 years ago today

Some cuteness for your Wednesday...

We love our Brandy!  xox

Brandy, you're a fine girl....

Our new puppy, Brandy, is finally here!  We'll give you the straight skinny --- she's a little over 8 weeks old, pure-bred collie, a firecracker, adorable, and loves to give kisses.  And, we're crazy about her! 

Bo and Blayde are working on getting used to her.  Blayde's been going over to Brandy's pen, wagging his tail, and touching noses with her. 

Happy Friday!! (And don't worry.... you'll be bombarded with Brandy photos in the future....)

xox Us

Mr. Kitty

Hasn't he gotten big?? (The last time you saw him was right here.)  Of course, we thought he was a her at first.  But, anyway you cut it he's just too cute.  It seems to me that Mr. Kitty thinks he's a dog, and belongs up at the house with Bo and Blayde, because he hardly ever leaves.  He'll sit right in front of a door and purr for food, and he'll sit on the window ledge and watch movies with us.  Too Adorable, right?  Oh, and he'll sleep right beside the dogs, and lay in the exact same position as them.  Cute, cute, cute!

We hope your Friday's this cute....

Hugs~ us

1 skirt | 3 days | Day 3 ~ Navy + Green (+ Miss Kitty)

Skirt - Made by me | Blouse - Talbot's | Belt - Macy's (borrowed from Apphia) | Flats - Macy's

Miss Kitty joined me in the pictures today.  I just think she is the cutest thing ever!  She has a sweet little brother too.  He's gray and blue eyed and adorable. 

There really isn't a lot to say about today's outfit, except that I really like navy and this bright green together.  Those two French in-out braids Absie did for me didn't hurt either.  I was determined to try and make each of my outfits the past three days look as different and varied as possible.  It was lots of fun, Ash (and Natasha and Olivia)!  Thanks so much for hosting it!

Well, I just finished eating tacos and am hoping to work some more on an Anthro-inspired dress that I'm sewing up.  Which is probably a good idea to do tonight, as tomorrow means more Market booth sewing!

I'll say 'Good-Night' since it's bedtime somewhere.  I probably won't be going to bed for about 7 more hours.

Good night!

xo! Achaia

Hello, Kitty

Awww... isn't she sweet???!  Here's one of our new kittens.  We haven't named her yet though, so she's just answering to Kitty.

xoxox

The Newest Fabric on the Shelves!

Say hello to Lecien's Flower Sugar fall 2011 collection!  It's really a beautiful line.  We say that all the time, but it is really true.  We had the pleasure of sewing up some goodies for Lecien's market booth this fall (a small smattering of what we made above!), so we had the double pleasure of getting to see all the lovely prints ahead of time.  However, we didn't take a single picture of our handwork hanging up in their booth!  When we came back the other half that stayed home couldn't understand that.  How could we do such a thing?  Come to think of it, our appointment with Lecien was on the last day we were at market.  Our eyes must have been glazed over by then.  (That happens at market, ya know?)

While Abs was taking bolt pictures today she noticed someone looking in on her.  See Robie??  She's such a sweet kitty, and very willing to let Bo & Blayde share their dinner with her.  Robie's taken to walking along the window ledges, watching what's going on inside.  It probably helped that someone fed her a slice of cheese out the door.  You think?  Oh, and why is "she" named after a "he" movie character?  That's a good question.  We named her before we knew it was a her.  I don't think she minds.

Happy fabric-ing!   xox Kristie, Apphia, Achaia, Abigail, & Abiah

Fall Fashion Challenge ~Day 6

Details~

{Sweater- TJMaxx} {Skirt- Talbot's} {Booties- Eddie Bauer}

Well, day 6 was about wearing one of your favorite fall trends.  I chose chunky sweaters & maxi skirts.  I've worn this skirt probably hundreds of times since I got it a few years back...  It's basic, but chic, and goes so well with everything.  One day Apphia, Abigail, and I were out shopping at TJMaxx when I spied this little sweater.  The teal color was a complete taker (one of my favorite fall/winter colors to wear) + it boasted a cute cropped length, which I'd been admiring.  Abiah did my hair in an up-do (you know the kind--- I'll never be able to replicate it again in my life...) and velvet ribbon as my headband.  It's looking a little wild in these pictures, as the day was extremely windy.  Not only is she my official photographer, but she also happens to be my official hair-doer. 

Bo and Blayde decided they had been left out in pictures the past 5 days, it just wasn't fair, and they weren't going to stand it any longer.  So, they got their picture taken too!

Oh, and a quick word about the last picture.  Mom took it for me while we were out shopping.  When she saw that teal-y truck, we knew we must take a picture beside it (it was so cute).  Also, my polka dot satchel bag is from Cath Kidston.  It also happens to be the perfect color.

Happy Friday night to all of you!  love, Achaia

a dash of flower sugar.

 
We had an amazing opportunity back in April - one of our very favorite fabric companies (Lecien) offered to send us some of their new Flower Sugar collection!  We sewed and sewed... samples for the Lecien booth at Quilt Market in Salt Lake City, samples for their international shows in Japan.  It was SO fun.  We couldn't resist snapping some pictures before we shipped off our box of happy goodies.  And the best news of the day?  It's all right over HERE!

 
 
 
And here is our faithful Blayde, keeping his eye on us and our crazy goings-on.  Probably wondering why we bothered to fight the April winds in order to take pictures?  He's never too far away.  (And he likes Flower Sugar, too.  We just know it.) 
We hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day!

xo, the Long ladies