Fourth-a-Palooza and Five Minute Dresses

Fourth-a-Palooza, my sister's annual Fourth of July party, was fantastic this year, as always. My brother-in-law's best friend, Matt, made smoked ribs that were to die for! I had never tried ribs, just plain, without any sauce. They were super yummy! There were some amazing desserts there as well. I think I had three times the amount of dessert that I did "real" food and many a beer to wash it down. But what is an American holiday without beer and barbecue, right?

For the second topic of this post I'd like to point your attention to the cute, polka dotty daisy frock that I'm wearing in the center of the photo mosaic. This has become my summer uniform of choice. It's the perfect shirt, dress, skirt, beach cover-up all rolled into one, and I made it!

Now I'm usually not a fan of what I like to refer to "insta-crafting". I'm not a "kit" girl. For example: Pre-cut quilting squares, fabric baby books, aprons, eyelash yarn scarves, etc, these all irk me, because I don't really find them that crafty. What's fun about popping something out of a package, altering one thing in the whole pre-fabricated jumble, and then your done. I'm a process girl. I'm a swear at my sewing machine/knitting/collage, whatever it is that day kinda girl.

*BUT* I must confess. I have a new guilty pleasure! The dress that I'm wearing above is pre-smocked fabric, sold by the inch. So a seam and a hem (not even a hem in the above picture) and you've got the perfect summer dress. I'm addicted!

Here's dress #2



I've got two more, plus a third for a friend waiting to be sewn up! See - addicted!

P.S.

I did my first actual errand with my bicycle today. I rode to the post office, and whew was it hot, but I was so excited to be using my bike for a utilitarian purpose! Is that nerdy, or what?

I'm geeking out with love for Sweet Dreams Bakery, one of the latest local treasures I've come across in my travels. The eclairs are out of this world! You must visit the site just to see the picture of the cute little store front. Cheers!