Not really sure that I have a good reason for my absence except that life gets busier and busier and I believe I've been eaten by Facebook!  Anyway I do have a few items to show for all those lost hours!
First -  a maxi dress that I made using a very fine cotton-silk blend I picked up in NYC last season. The fabric feels like butter and was a bliss to work with!  I used Vogue 8241 - easy peasy with very straightforward instructions.  No real design changes/enhancements except that I used a different technique than offered in the instructions for "flipping" the bodice - same result -  and I lined only the bodice in a black china silk. I've wore it out for a nice summer dinner as well as to a beach party - - really versatile!
(I apologize for the poor quality of my photos -
 anyone out there with a suggestion for a good, small, versatile, moderately priced camera  - 
my old standby is failing me!?)
And then there's my newest, um, obsession/time sink/money hole - knitting!  And here is my first real, DRUM ROLL, sweater!!!   
I did it!  I made a real live sweater from the top down!  And it fits!  And I like it!  And I wore it!  None of these statements did I EVER think would ever be uttered from my mouth about something I knitted!  I owe my success to Rachel at Looped Yarns for her support and stellar instructions (and did I mention her support???)  The pattern is designed by Elizabeth Smith from The Brown Stitch.  Great pattern for a beginner - pretty straight forward but with lots of challenges from which to learn!
Thanks for peeking in on my progress!  Am working on a great mid-weight linen jacket for fall!  About to head in to cut it out now!  
xxoo
Laura