Tired of the Rain

The Farmer's Almanac predicted a wetter than usual winter for my area.

They weren't kidding.

The sad thing is that even with all this rainy weather keeping me indoors,

I've not been making many things lately.

I have been doing some things, just not sewing much.

A few years ago, a friend sent me this cool stuff

made from Indian sarees.

The color is hard to see on this screen, but it's sort of a burnt purple.

I love it.

I've used it for a couple of jewelry pieces.

I made a tassel necklace that you can see in the background,

and also used it to wrap 

memory wire for this bracelet.

Last year I went to Stampaway in Cincinnati, and there was a booth

there that sells all kinds of cool metal pieces and such.

They had a bracelet made from these cool things.

(I think I may have posted a picture of it a few months back). 

I came home and made one for myself, but I don't

wear bracelets that much.

So...

I made a necklace!

I made the other two pieces a while back.

I love how they layer!

It goes back to that collage look that I love so much.

Here's a closer view.

This is another piece that's been coming together in my head for a bit.

I finally took the time to put it together.

I wish I could remember where I got this old hinge.

But isn't this fun?!?!

The "original" piece is a leather tag

that I found in the notions section.

I painted over it with some very old dye...

I like the patina, but I'm not sure what I was expecting.

This was a fun project...and a quick one.

This is a project in the works.  I took a small canvas (2"x3") that I found

at Hobby Lobby.  I cut strips of paper and wove them together.

I used Modge Podge to glue it down and then over the top too.

This will be a necklace when I'm finished.

I'll try to remember to show you the completed project in my next post.

Now...

in my last post I think I remember saying I would be showing you some pants.

I was going to show you 2 pairs, but I only got a picture of one pair.

These pants are from Marcy Tilton's Vogue 8499.

I found a light weight denim to use for these.

I took inspiration from Tina Givens and added

fabric collages all around.

This pattern is super easy to make.  The back part of the waist is

elastic so they're easy to fit.  I've worn these a couple of times and get 

compliments on them.  The legs are full, but they are meant to be.

I think they're fun.

This is a picture I took of our sweet Whisper kitty last night.

This is one of the best cats ever.

He is my daughter's constant companion.

He's a very loving boy.

So thankful he's part of our family.

My daughter and I will be traveling to the British Isles in the next couple of weeks.

I'm sure I'll have lots to show and tell when I get home.

Until then...

Maybe I won't float away in all this rain.

Maybe it's just a warm up for Ireland.

And 2018 begins!!! (with a bang...)

Yes, the year began with a real bang...

I was car number 3.

I'm thankful that no one was in the passenger seat.

That door caved in to the point I wasn't able to open my glove box.

The car is in the shop and I hope to have it back before the week is out.

And then there's this....

Beautiful snow!

We don't get much of the "white stuff" here in TN so when we do,

it's a big deal.

The birds are hard to see, but there was a ton of female cardinals about.

And did you know...

... chickens do not like snow?

At least ours don't. 

These poor babies have been cooped up all week.  They would not

take one step out into the snow.  They were glad to see the snow melt.

We keep a heat lamp on them so they have a toasty place to stay.

Okay...enough of all that...

Upcycle Project!

I ran to Goodwill a few weeks ago and found this suede skirt.

It was 1/2 price so I only plaid $2 for it I think.

I knew I wanted to make a bag of some sort, so I scouted out

the purse section for a bag with good handles.

The bag was $6 if I remember correctly.

The skirt was lined so I decided to use the lining for the bag's interior.

I used a pattern I'd been wanting to try.

McCall's 7334 is the one I used.

I used a fusible fabric stiffener to help the suede hold it's shape.

Here's the end product:

Not to shabby, huh?

And a project I promised to share:

I had finished the top, but wanted to wait until I had the embroidery work finished before I shared this with you.  I told you it would be worth the wait.  I hope I didn't disappoint.

These photos don't show the colors very well, but at least you can see the 

hand work.  I'm pleased with how it turned out.

This was a Tina Givens pattern that I tweaked.

And finally...This is a Marcy Tilton dress I made.

The pattern is Vogue 9112.

I am petite...coming in at just under 5'.

This pattern didn't have provisions for shortening, but

I knew it would be too long if I didn't alter it some how.

I ended up lining the pattern pieces up at the waistline.

I drew a line across each piece with pencil.

I used that as my altering point hoping it would work.

I think I shortened it by about 3 inches,

and I only made that one alteration.

It did make the side panel piece look weird

as I cut it out.  I was concerned about

getting things going together correctly,

but I think it turned out just right.

And it has pockets too!!

This pattern may look intimidating, but I can assure you it was not too complicated.

I wouldn't recommend it as a beginner project, but for those who've been constructing

garments for a while, this one is fun to put together.

The fabric is cotton.  I'm a cotton gal.  I knew the collar would show

the wrong side of the fabric.  I didn't want the wrong side to show, so I 

sewed a facing on this piece and it works fine.

What do you think?

I encourage you to broaden your horizons in 2018.

Try something new.

Work on a project that challenges you.

Always move forward in your abilities.

I find it rewarding, and I think you will too.

See you soon!

I have 2 pairs of pants to share with you next round.

2017 Isn't Finished Yet...

Well, I just thought it would be next year before I posted again...

My schedule from week to week is never the same.

I've shared with you before how I sometimes am so busy

I can't think straight, and then there are weeks where

I have time to "play"...in my sewing room.

That room is my favorite place.

Recently, I've had time to play.

A friend of mine hosts a cookie swap every year.

Part of the fun is a jewelry gift exchange.

I made this bracelet to take as my gift to give.

I didn't know if it would be received well or not.

It's a bit unpredictable what folks will like,

My gift ended up being one of the last ones chosen.

The lady that opened it loved it, and many then began to ask if I made it.

(I have a reputation.)

I was glad she liked it.

Something else I've been busy making are these microwave bowls.

You place a bowl in this fabric contraption.  Then you can reheat your food and remove

it from the microwave without burning your fingers/hands.

I have made over 25 of these in the past few weeks for gifts.

A nice, practical gift.

Another fun gift idea I found were these modern Christmas trees.

I took a Styrofoam cone and wrapped it with strips of VERY soft fabric.

I then used a tiny, shiny trim as a finishing touch.

They're great centerpieces for tables.

I hope to make myself some for next year.

AND...

I made yet another doll box.

(I think I am obsessed.)

This one was inspired by a picture my sister and I saw in a magazine.

We were flipping through some magazines when I was visiting her at

Thanksgiving, and this page caught my eye. 

She said, "That would be a cute room box for you to make."

The clouds opened and I heard angels singing...

Isn't it cute?!?!

This is a "before" distressing shot.

And this is "after"...

I had a ton of fun painting this.

I still need to make some furniture for this room.

That will be another project for another day.

(and I'm sure a future post)

NEXT...

The blue/green fabric in the upper-left corner is a recent purchase.

Sometimes when I buy fabric, I can see what I want to make.

This fabric came with a "vision" of sorts.

BUT...

I felt I needed to rethink my plans.

So I pulled out a few other pieces to play with and see what struck.

Well, the only thing that struck was confusion.

I hemmed and hawed over this fabric for DAYS!

Yes, days.  About 3 of them.

I was so frustrated.

I get afraid to cut something because I wonder, 

"what if..."

What if...I think of something later that I wish I had made with that beautiful fabric!?

What if...I don't wear what I make...?

What if...I regret making that cut?

So sometimes I spend extra time sorting through ideas

JUST TO MAKE SURE

it's really what I want to make...

and that I will wear it.

I LOVE Project Runway.

It is probably my favorite show to watch.

I remember something the designers say

OFTEN

when they are stumped 

OR

once they've made something

and have regrets...

"I should have gone with my gut."

or

"I should have stuck with my original idea."

SO...

After fretting for DAYS over what to make,

I went back to my original vision.

I made a cute top and am in the process of adding

some wonderful embellishments.

SO...

you'll have to come back and see the finished project.

Trust me...it will be worth the wait.

Inspiration for this next project came from a catalog.

I saw a picture of a bright, embroidered belt.

(the lightbulb turned on)

"I can do that!" I said to myself.

My version is a bit different.  I didn't embroider mine.

I simply used some bright fabric!

This was my process:

I started with a canvas base, added some background fabric, and then

placed some cut-out motifs along the middle.

I used a bright, floral fabric.

(It's actually a tablecloth from World Market.)

I used a product called Steam-A-Seam to adhere the motifs to the belt.

I did some stitching around the motifs just to keep them fastened down.

This belt will receive some wear and tear, so I wanted it to all be secured.

I stitched it and turned it.

And this is what I got!!

TA-DA!!!!!

Can't wait to wear it!

We have a friend, Luke, who likes to come spend time with us in the sewing room.

Luke enjoys coloring, and he brought his supplies the other day to spend an afternoon with us.

As we were getting him ready to head back to his apartment, I snapped a few shots of his pencil collection. 

WOW! 

WHAT FUN that was.

See...

I took some shots of my daughter's coloring pencils that she keeps in a can too.

I had more fun taking these pictures!

I'd like to turn them into some fabric...

Hummm...

Another post for another time, right??!!

And finally, a couple of pictures of Echo sitting on my sewing table.

She likes living on the edge...

Love this sweet girl.

See you next post!