Well, that's twelve of twelve for the year 2011.  December's dress is a really beautiful dark, dark blue wool.  I admittedly splurged.  

The deep squared neckline is something new for me, as are the long princess seams and 3/4 length sleeves.  I like the outcome -  not too dressy, but not casual either.

I added a cutesy leather bow belt because I like to accentuate waists.  The back is very high.  For the lining I used a bright plaid that used to be a dress.  The red shoes are a non-sequiteur.

Happy New Year everyone!  That's a wrap!

It's always fun to dig into the holiday decorations box.  I had forgotten about the stocking I made for Adorable Boyfriend last year.  He loves mountain climbing, so wool socks and crampons seemed very fitting.  I used little black nubby buttons to look like shoelace hooks.  I was going off the cuff, so it's not perfect, but I was pretty pleased with the end result.

I don't have my own stocking in Portland, so I whipped one up this afternoon out of some scraps of Sari fabric that I have been hanging on to.  See?  Hoarding pays off.  Everything eventually finds a purpose.  I wouldn't say that sequins typify my personality by any means, but the colors were just too perfect.  And sometimes shiny is nice.

Now if someone would just put presents in it.  I am guessing my stocking could hold about three kittens.

Ug.  Now the worst part.  Taking pictures of myself.  Hate it.  Which leads me to believe that I really should rethink the whole theme of this blog.  Hmmmm.  Maybe change is in the air.  But not until 2012.  

That actually reminds me of a fortune I got out of a cookie the other day.  It said something like "Your best and most creative ideas will come tomorrow".  And I thought "Growl.  It's always tomorrow".  Then I thought "Yum!" because I am partial to fortune cookies.

Delicious snacks aside  . . without further ado . . . November Dress has finally arrived.  I wanted sort of a Milkmaid Meets Wiggle Dress Chic.  Maybe got it?  I don't know.  (Can you tell the year is nearly over?  I'm losing steam. And am feeling indecisive.)  While I absolutely do love this hand painted fabric, I am not sure that I feel comfortable in such light colors.  I feel more exposed and not so pulled together. 

{anticlimactic}

So, December is here.

I think it's time for something more practical and wearable.  I have some nice crepey wools.    'Tis the season for crepey wools, as they say.  And actual sleeves?  I'll get back to you on that. And more!

The camera is almost back in my clutches and November Dress is more than willing to be photographed.  Soon.  Very soon.  Like, probably Wednesday.  I know the suspense is killing you.  Me too.  I'm practically dead already.  Bleh.

So you're not too bored. . . . here is a mysterious broken umbrella to think about.  What happened?  Seriously.  

I will be taking essay submissions.  Maybe a tune will inspire you.  

It's December.  Still no camera, so still no November Dress.  So . . . here's a picture of Paris.  

Ah, Paris.  You should probably go there.   For the holidays.  

Even the rooftops are amazing.

Oh bother.  It's the last day of the month and I am unable to show off a new dress.  It seems I sent my visiting parents back to California with my camera.  Ooops!  That's what I get for planning and then forgetting to capture my family Thanksgiving on (digital) film.  

Until I get my camera in the mail I'll distract you with a picture of Bustur the Puppy.  It's a cheap trick, I know.

If you have been around for a while you may remember the Erin Elizabeth Dress (December 2010)  Well, now some lucky lady in Cincinnati, OH will have one for her very own . . . just in time to pack it away for next spring.  

Longtime DotMC friend and supporter, Catie, is spearheading the annual Annual Dinner and Silent Auction for the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless this year.  If you happen to be in the Cincinnati area around December 7th, you may want to check it out and support a good cause.  

Also, just for Catie's special event, I have brought back DotMC's signature bag.  I was making these, like, a million years ago (2006).  This bag is a graphic black and white houndstooth with a colorful, silky lining.  I am actually inspired to whip out some more of these bags.  

They are fun to make and pretty much good looking.  Not to mention highly functional (pockets!) and unique.  I always thought the metal rings were a nice touch.

So, have you bought your airfare to Cincinnati yet?

All I wanted were vegetarian enchiladas.  Not too much to ask.  A quick swoop of the internets presents ka-billions of options.  And I am sure all those recipes are great.  Great for people who know the difference between Chili Powder (2 tbsp) and Cayenne Pepper (1/4 tsp).  Not so much for those who guess that the two spices might be interchangable. [Woe!]

The most major of fails came in my attempt to make enchilada sauce from scratch.  If only I would have gone with the can!   Why was I too snobby for a can?  Dinner could have been so good.  Just think about it - tofu, onions, zucchini, carrots, olives  . . . all diced and baked in tortillas?!  But then I poured liquid fire on top.  Of course I didn't realize what I had done until it was too late.  It looked so good.

I think Adorable Boyfriend pretty much summed it up when he said,  "I think cayenne is used in weapons.  You basically manufactured pepper spray and made me eat it for dinner."  For the record he ate everything on his plate.  Which wasn't easy.

I'll just leave it at that.  Let us never speak of this again.

Liz - 2
Kitchen Gods - 1

One saving grace was the kale salad we had just before filling our mouths with molten lava.  I am trying to copy the wonderful salad at my favorite pizza place, Dove Vivi.  It's just kale with a lemony olive oil and some cheese.  I am still working the whole business out, but am making progress.  Yum.