It's been awhile

I'm a slacker! I've been so busy I have not been able to sew! (that is the worst feeling in the world) I do have to admit I am rusty! I made this New Look long dress from some confetti type fabric in my stash. Lauren said it looked like a "demented prom dress" ha ha

Purse Organizer

I hope 2010 brings lots of sewing projects for myself & you.

2009 was a busy year for me! I joined an Improv troupe, got an agent, recorded my v.o. demo and two internet commercials. I also filmed my first television commercial! I am currently enrolled in Esthetician school and taking a botox class next weekend. I hope to compliment my nursing career with the Esthetics field.

So, that left sewing on the back burner with the exception of Halloween costumes. I really miss time fondling fabrics, dreaming up sewing projects and keeping up with all the inspiring blogs I read.

I did find an hour to get into the sewing room and make this little purse organizer. I want to make a petite one now for my smaller purses. I hope it does not take me months to get into the sewing habit again!

Boo

This was too easy. I found these sparkly letters at Hobby Lobby in the felt and pom pom aisle. I ironed them very carefully onto some black velvet. To make an easy pillow use the plastic bag the pillow form came in as your pattern. Boo!

Sewing Mojo?

Man oh man...where did my sewing mojo go? in the spring I made a ton of costumes for the local theatre then nothing. Nothing inspired me. I spent the past week purging my studio of fabric, junk and trash. Everything is ship shape. I felt rusty so I made a simple pj from the softest fabric ever from Denver Fabric. No pattern necessary for something so basic. Now...what kept me up last night?

I purchased some fabric crayons at the Sewing Festival a few weeks ago, drew my sisters face and then this collage evolved. I've had a lot of fun making this, using all my machines including the embellisher. Sue played Cinderella in a musical years ago and she is well known for her performance. If you look closely Cinderella and the fairy godmother are in the collage. I have NO idea how to finish this now...I've never made a binding! Help suggestions?

Using your Word program

This green pillow in Lauren's room was rather dull so I used my handy dandy seam ripper to take it apart. I used Microsoft word to find a cute font and printed out the letter. The fonts drop down menu will go 72 I believe, but if you type in for example 300 or 500 it will re size the letter. I used a blanket stitch and walla...a jazzy pillow for Lauren's bed.

Serged Satchel

The pattern is by Indigo Junction and is called the serged satchel. I found the directions to be Horrible with a capital H! I took me about 18+ hours to sew/serge and cost me approx $60.00. I doubt I'll make this again but it did turn out cute. Lauren thinks it is fantastic!

Vogue Easy

Yma was naked in the closet so I made her this shirt today. It's a black and white knit from Denver Fabrics. I'll have to wear a cami underneath it because the neckline was a bit low. If you are wondering who Yma is...she's my dress form and my name spelled backwards.

Finally!

This is my first lined coat. phew! The fabric is a gorgeous lavender/beige/white wool boucle that I purchased on clearance from Denver Fabrics for $20.00. Butterick 5145 view A is the pattern I chose. I'll post this on pattern review too.

I sewed the buttons on with my machine which was another first but I think I'd rather sew them next time by hand because they were not tight enough.

I used my new Baby Lock Embellisher with scraps of the wool to make my matching scarf.

Black is my favorite color to wear so it was fun making something other than black.

Blind as a Bat

My costume was inspired by my serger. I was cussing because I could not thread the needle one afternoon. I said to myself out loud "I'm as blind as a bat"... "THAT'S IT" that's what I'll be for Halloween. I made the hood from a McCalls costume pattern, wore a t-shirt and black slacks. The wings are made from cardboard and black cotton fabric. I covered the wings with a black and purple sparkly sheer fabric. More glitter was added by using hairspray and a glitter shaker. The feathers were a "damaged" item at the fabric store that cost $1.00. I used plenty of hot glue, black duct tape and elastic and walla! The glasses were in a bargain bin for $1.00. Super glue made the nails stick to the gloves ($3.00) and the cane was a dowel covered with white athletic tape and had a red fabric tip. P.S. Steve and I sat on the porch and my wings nearly caught fire when I bent over to pick up something off the table! yikes! glad that did not happen. P.S. Steve has a broken leg and I hate having my picture taken that's why I look like a goof ball.

Josie my baby girl

Dogs are funny! mine hate costumes. I made Josie the baby bib and bonnet. The bonnet stayed on for about 2 minutes. No matter how many times I brush her she always looks disheveled.

Garden Gnome

Lauren wanted to be a garden gnome...this costume was too easy! a lot of the people in the neighborhood thought she was Santa though! I think they looked at her hat and beard and not at the rest of the garb.

Happy Halloween

Hi friends! I've been lazy and have not blogged much, but I have been reading your blogs! After my big purchase I had a few weeks of buyers remorse and felt guilty. That feeling lasted way too long, but let me assure you all I've been using my new machines. I had so much fun this Halloween. After decorating the yard and porch I sat in my rocking chair, drank beer with Steve and passed out candy. I tried to enter my photos in the costume contest at Pattern Review but had nothing but trouble loading last night, it did however work this morning. Oh well! Enjoy my photos!

Homecoming 2008

Here is my man child Paul with his darling girlfriend and date Carley.

fun fun

Well, the Nancy Zeiman Sewing retreat was a knee slappin' good time. I learned some new techniques and of course came home inspired. I purchased the Baby Lock Evolve Serger.....oh my! this is amazing and an Embellishing Machine. I thought the embellisher was a frivolous item until I took a class and daydreamed about a gazillion things I could use it for. I think the machine is definitely for those who have the desire to be extremely creative. I noticed that the ladies that really like to embroider did not fancy this machine. Now I need to get my tail end into the studio and whip up something to show you all! eee gads! I look like a big fatso in this photo! we were both looking at different cameras!

Seminar with Nancy Zeiman

I was fortunate to get a spot in the Baby Lock hands on 3 day seminar with Nancy Zeiman this October. I'm so glad I put my name on the waiting list. I did try out the Evolve Serger/Coverlock but had sticker shock when told the price. I called the dealer back to haggle and was told there will some great deals at the seminar. I'm saving up ladies!

P.S. Do any of you get neck pain from sewing?

This cute little sleeping bag was made by Lauren 4 years ago.

Anybody Home?

Can anyone guess in which hotel this famous room is located? I took several photos but no wee ghosties came out to play.

Politics

After listening to Obama, Clinton, & Palin I could not take another evening of yappers.
So, sew...I made these lounge pants, scrunchie and vest for Miss Priss while the most recent gomer was blabbering. No patterns used this time. Just easy breezy mindless stuff because I am exhausted. The vest looks wonky in the photo but it is straight. Hey, I just noticed the symbols are upside town on the pants...oh well...these are for around the house. I really am tired.

Anyone gearing up for Halloween yet?

For those of you who emailed me and asked...my wallet is long gone, I think I had it on my lap when I got out of the car. A man came to my door 3 days later with my ID that was found blowing in the wind clear across town. Luckily nobody used my credit cards.

Dang

I was sewing the sleeve for my Halloween costume, obviously not paying attention and look what happened! Mr.Serger was hungry for a bite.

Thankfully this is just a costume and I can cover this with some trim.

Paul

Here is my Paul on the first day of school. He has some stylin' sunglasses on that he bought in Korea. Paul went to World Youth Day in Australia in July. Mr. Stud came home with over 200 email addresses from girls all over the world. Isn't the internet wonderful? I hope some of the friendships last a lifetime.