Every day is Better than the Last...

The Crazy Goat Lady: Happy Farm Days....

2012-01-15T07:47:00.000-05:00

The Crazy Goat Lady: Happy Farm Days....: 17 goats now.... but selling all the Alpines so I can concentrate on the Nigerian dairy herd. I am just so impressed with these little goats...

Back Again! but in a new way...

2011-10-19T07:45:00.004-04:00

Hi out there! If anyone is still checking in my blog I have started a new blog... thats more fitting to my "lifestyle change" and my new business ventures!

I blogged a few times on the farm blog The Bald Man started but it just never clicked with me to keep blogging on it so I'm off with my own blog again... AND I'm SEWING again. It took awhile to get back into the swing of things but I think I've got it together now. This is Sienna, a beautiful and friendly French Alpine

Anyways, my new blog is http://thecrazygoatladyproducts.blogspot.com/

I will be blogging about sewing projects, farm life and my animals, food preservation, gardening, my goat milk beauty products and recipes to make your own... crochet and probably a few odd things here and there!

And my new farm/buisness website is http://www.thecrazygoatlady.com

My new business is making goat milk soap, lotions and other beauty products made with goat milk... useing milk for beauty products is nothing new.. Cleopatra was said to have bathed in milk daily ... so treat yourslef like royalty and use goat milk on your skin too!

.. my Esthetics training has really helped me with this new business in developing the products. I'm very excited about the products.. I used to spend TONS on skin care in the past.. being an Esthetician I won't just use any old thing on my skin.. I've been testing my products ( and making my family test them!) for months and they are great!!!

Sewing skills are also used in my new accessory line I'm selling!

I'm doing gift sets too.. (keep that in mind when looking for unique Christmas presents)

Above is Melody, Chewbacca, Starbucks

I'm happy to be sewing again... my sewing is just taking a whole new approach.. a more"green" appoach that I'm loving.

BTW: I will be selling my collection of BWOF and Threads magazines if anyone is interested.

Also a well cared for Babylock coverstitch machine and a hardly used TacSew Blindhem for very very good prices...I also have some very very fancy fabrics for sale from Rex's in Miami , Gail K's in ATL and even some designer stuff from Panama City, Panama. ... if interested in anything or all of it let me know... leave a comment, your email and I'll write you with details.

Some of my chickens and my mean rooster (who might end up Thanksgiving dinner if he keeps flogging me!)

So please check out my new blog and website. I'd love to hear from you guys agian. I'm excited to be back on the blog bandwagon!

Take care and God Bless!

Farming doesn't leave time for blogging

2011-03-23T15:48:00.007-04:00

Meet Meg! One of my lovely Nubian dairy goats. Twice a day everyday, morning and evening I milk the girls! And its awesome!!! Better than I ever thought it would be.
Now that we are "mostly" settled I am enjoying the farm more and more everyday. There's so much to do! Which makes this life so perfect for me.
As for sewing... well... I have some fabric for curtains picked out! And I'm going to embroidery my bedroom curtains... other than that I don't have much planned... sewing will be become what I mostly do in the winter I think...
As for crocheting.. none of that right now... my weak little hands are building strength to milk the girls! Its no easy thing... but so worth it. Gracie is due anyday now... she is bred to my American Blue buck. She is an American Chinchilla. They are heritage breed rabbits that were bred for meat and their fur. They are now pretty rare since most people who bred for meat breed all white Zealands or Florida whites because they grow super fast. I don't mind waiting an extra month for better meat though.

Guineas, guineas!! I have 22 guinea keets! They are great tick and all bug eaters! They are great "watchers" and will loudly alert you of anyone or anything on your property that isn't supposed to be there. Plus they have tasty eggs if you can find them!

A chicken house is in the works and I have now 4 chicks, but I'm planning to buy layers when the coop is done... maybe 5 to start, then later do some cornish hens for meat. I plan to raise some kind of small game bird for meat to.. most likely quail.
I love eating small individual serving birds for some reason.. they always have super tender meat!

Plans also include ducks and turkeys in the future. And a peacock or 2.. for their beauty and just because I love that loud jungle like noise they make.. I don't plan to have many "non useful" animals on the farm..

I mean we are doing this because we love living like this, but we also want to be self sufficient.. I don't want to buy my veggies from a foreign country with low health standards or a large commercial farm that drown everything with cancer causing chemicals.. plus veggies at the grocery store taste like crap to me . ,.. I want my meat to and dairy to come from well treated, well feed, antibiotic free , happy animals!... but I must have a peacock!

On the more "useful" side... hogs are going to happen!

Also useful... our garden"s"!!!!!!!! My herb garden has started and my vegetable garden will soon follow! I'm even going to plant a garden for the goats!

Here's both the girls, Ginger and Meg! Thanks to them buying dairy is a thing of the past for me... we have fresh milk everyday,, sweet and rich! I make fresh yogurt every week! And I make the BEST tasting Feta and Fromage Blanc cheese ever with their milk!

When my third dairy darling gets here I will have enough milk to hopefully start making some Gouda! My fav! I have a cheese press just waiting... Plus I Love these girls! They are SO fun to have on a homestead! I can't imagine having more enjoyable livestock! Playful, loving! wonderful to be around!!

This is me walking my future Guardian Llama, Lila. Llamas bond with goats and sheep well... if attacked by predators or just chased by your irresponsible neighbors dogs Llamas will protect the herd by trampling the dog if it has to... So Llamas are very useful guards and really pretty

to have around. They also have very nice fur with is sheared once or twice a year and can be spun into yarn... lucky me, my mom is a spinner! With me being a crocheter... well, you know!

How awesome will it be to wear something from my own Llamas fur, that my mom spun and I crocheted! I can't wait. She will be sheared next month before it gets to hot for her.

Lila also likes to hike and will carry things for you! How cute!

I don't know how much I will blog here anymore... I will probably start blogging on mine and the Bald Mans homestead blog. Which seems much more fitting now that we are living our dream!

If we both blog on one blog maybe it won't be so long in between posts. The Bald Man is a busy

farm man these days himself... planting a fruit orchard, large blue berry patch and various things around the farm... cause theres ALWAYS something do to... its wonderful!!

Our farms name.... Gods Blessings Farm

And that it truly is.. I look around everyday and I'm amazed at this beautiful place we live.

Be Blessed!

and feel free to follow the farm adventures on http://homesteadvoyage.blogspot.com

January has flown by...

2011-02-01T12:17:00.013-05:00

Alot going on as usual... and no, no sewing to be done with my sewing rooms still all packed up ready to move when everything is all done!
But I have been doing some crocheting... a little bedside rug here... of thick chenille yarn. More and more dish cloths... seriously, if I could stop I would....

and a hat made from suede yarn... the little brim makes it look 'sporty'!

And doing canning, when I have something that needs to be canned. Homemade chicken broth

is a hundred times more flavorful than store bought!

So is homemade mushroom broth!... and alittle Spiced blue berry jam made from some blueberries mom had in her freezer... I love having jars of mushrooms on hand for homemade pizzas!

I waited for months for organic oranges to go on sale... finally! $4 a bag! I wanted to make my own Grand Mariner for Bald man for awhile and since you have to use the zest of the orange they had to be organic, since it took so many they had to be on sale!!! With the left over oranges I made Vin D'orange a French dessert drink and cranberry orange sauce... perfect with duck!

For my birthday weekend... and because we had a timeshare we had to use or loose! we went to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Something fun me and The Bald Man like doing is going to the local wineries... The one below is in Gatlinburg... wonderful Med-Dry wines there!!!!

In Pigeon Forge they have a 'wine trail' thing going on! You go to all three wineries and get a free gift at the last one you visit. We had so much fun... Mountain Valley winery had some nice 'special' limited wines

The Apple Barn winery below had a great limited Cranberry Apple wine we bought...

Hillside Winery,,,, wow!!!! This winery makes Italian style wines and sparking wines (I LOVE bubbles!) All their sparkling wines were awesome!!! We bought some of each one!!! And they had a really nice Pinot!

At the end of our tour we got to cute wine glasses!

And we went to the Lodge iron cookware outlet where I got a huge Iron pizza pan! I love making homemade pizzas and try to have one every week or so.

You'll notice on half the pizza there are no olives... Bald man hates them... I love them!

I eat homemade, well and often!

Since I started my health and fitness kick last December I have never felt better and had more energy.... and I've maintained around 125 without alot of fuss.

Energy is important because I've practically painted the whole double wide myself!!!! Bald Man helped some... he stays busy to! He's not just hanging out or we'd have issues!

Our goat Barn!!!!!! The guy building is almost done... now to get that fencing. Fencing for goats is in some ways more important than the shelter... I mean they need shelter from wind and rain ofcourse...in my case they need a little better shelter because I'm going to put them up at night and not have a guardian animal.
Goats are escape artist... so good strong fencing is a must. I read in one of my goat books this quote: ' A goat spends 23 hours of its day planning its escape and the last hour of the day executing the plan'

Yeah... good strong fencing is a must!

This pic is alittle blurred from the window light... but its our new kitchen cabinets!!! We bought oak unfinished cabinets... we're really trying to spend as little as possible on the double wide so we have more money to put into building the farm... but we did decide spending alittle more money and re doing the kitchen was a must since I cook SO much... and can and will be also making cheeses, yogurts and other dairy products with our goat milk! Yes, a good kitchen is a must for us! For anyone who cooks alot!

The future sewing room is done! And yes, its pink! I have a thing for pink... even though I love working with animals and getting dirty in a garden I'm still such a girly girl!

Thats all for now! We're hoping to start the move in a couple of weeks and be all moved in by the end of the month... thats what we're "hoping" anyways!

Its gets harder and harder to leave the place when we go up to work on it....

Have a blessed week!

Happy Days & Hard Work!

2011-01-03T19:50:00.011-05:00

Hope everyone had a fabulous New Years Eve! We had a very nice one... got all dressed up and went to the 5 course dinner event at Chez Liberty... SO GOOD! I even tried a little dish with 'sweetbreads' and had NO ideal what they were... but it was so good after I found out what they were I didn't even care! Now how many people out there know what they are??? Was I alone at not knowing??? Then we Had a bottle of bubbles... And then, I admit, came home at 11 and went to bed! I was asleep before 12!! and it makes me feel like an old fuddy duddy! haha!! But who cares! I was all dressed up in a dress that took me 3 weeks to make with a crochet bolero that took like a month!I love wearing this dress and rarely have an occasion for it.... besides I had to get up early the next morning...

And face things like this...... at our farm to be....

Now this is actually Sunday when my wonderful parents and niece Brittany stopped by to help..

but the day before it was just me and the Bald Man! We got the master bedroom stripped on Saturday... Sunday was dining room day.... Thank Goodness the rest of the rooms are painted!

As big of a disaster our new home looks on the inside right now... the outside makes up for it every time I look out the window.... 2 pictures from our back deck Sunday... it was a beautiful day! Someday soon I will be able to sit on this deck and watch my goats!!!

Everyday is a Blessing from God.... even a day spent stripping wallpaper!!! haha!!!

Hope everyone has a blessed 2011!

A GREAT CHRISTMAS! Part 1

2010-12-28T10:08:00.013-05:00

Enjoying one of my favorite presents from Bald Man.. a bolt action .22! Since I've not shot a gun in YEARS this is a perfect gun to start with! Great present!!!

Well, we have been really busy this holiday season... not busy cooking, going to parties, shopping, visiting like most people.. but busy packing... having people lined up to work on our land and the double wide... finding people who can build pole barns, chicken coops, rabbit cages... looking for rabbit breeding stock, visiting the lady I want to buy my dairy goats from, researching the best meat chickens... best layers.... reading, reading, reading all about dairy goats and planning our huge garden!!!!! Patiently awaiting seed catalogs in the mail... drawing out garden plots on the property... drawing out plans for the major kitchen remodel (I gotta have a good kitchen!) and so on and so on!!!

Christmas Eve we kinda took a break from all that and went to my moms for lunch and to open presents... One of my other favorite presents this year was this quilt mom gave me... isn't it soooo pretty!!! Looks like stained glass windows! Yet another fav present was made by my dad... a wooden goat feeder... I'll add a pic of that in my next Christmas post... cause I gotta make two this year! Here's an afghan I crocheted for mom... she liked it so much I even got to take her pic with it... taking pictures of mom is risky business... if you take pictures of her without her permission she won't get you anything for Christmas next year... or birthdays either! Seriously!!!

My son, Brian, sitting by the cable 'yule log' we all laugh at! haha!!

I always try to make Brian something every year... and that can be a challenge with him being a hateful teenager that only likes guitars and his truck. But I made him this T-shirt quilt from a collection of T-shirts his dad bought him from his 'worldly' travels. And he seemed to really love it!
He better... it took so long to make!!! Its looks simple... and it was... just very time consuming!

After we opened presents Christmas eve, we stopped by my Grandmothers then headed out to our farm to be for TARGET PRACTICE! I really liked shooting my little 22! I'm ready for something bigger though.... and a crossbow would be nice...

I think someday I may have as many guns as I do sewing machines!

More later on the stuff I made Bald Man... he was very happy this year!!!

God Bless!! and Praise Him for our Savior! "the reason for the season!!!!"

We have been greatly blessed this year and this Christmas!

ITS OURS!!!!!!!! and other goodies....

2010-12-02T14:21:00.007-05:00

The Bald Man and me... out on the town doing a little celebrating! Nights out in Knoxville will be fewer and farther between... and I'll tell you why in a second... First.... I've been crocheting my little hands to the bone.. but with most of the things I've been crocheting are gifts I can't show till after Christmas... But heres a couple of doilies I've done for myself in between presents...

A pineapple doily... I love doilies, they look so elegant and old fashion...

I've been sewing some... again just gifts that can't be shown yet....

But in the kitchen today I roasted a big 'Cinderella' pie pumpkin and made this Pumpkin Chutney... turned out yummy!!! I used a recipe found on Putting up with the Turnbills blog.. you can find their site on the side bar of links I have.

And Pumpkin pie!!! I love real homemade pumpkin pie!!!! And I have so much pumpkin puree leftover I can foresee pumpkin breads, muffins and cookies,, maybe a soup in the next week!

NOW!!! For the BIG NEWS!!! ITS OURS! The land we've been after for months ....

Which will be home to our huge gardens, chickens, goats, ducks... etc!

Its 25 acres in McMinn county (where I'm originally from) this land has everything we were looking for... a creek, woods and pasture... and lots of "extras"...some hills and some flat... there is a double wide on the property now that after we fix it up we will live in until we sell our Knoxville house, then build our little farm house!!

The creek has 2 springs feeding it... heres one of them... just coming right out of the hillside...

The creek is year around which makes it perfect for building ponds that will grow lots of yummy catfish, bluegill and bass!

Future pasture for some of the animals we will have! And a future site for a barn and chicken coop

It has a very nice workshop with electric.... perfect for my workout equipment until we can build a house

This whole area will be a vegetable garden...

Blueberry bushes, gooseberries, blackberries.... plenty of room...

The creek runs through a natural gorge which will make building a very large pond easier.

Its really has everything we were looking for!!! The doublewide is a bonus! and will be great temporary living space until we sell the knox house... which we know in this economy could be awhile... meanwhile... we'll be having barns and fencing built! There's even room for a little fruit orchard! Can't wait to set that up!

We looked at over 30 properties... some raw land that we would have had to spend money on running electric and doing septic systems, digging wells, making driveways.. money that can be used for building up the farm... not with this property... all done...

we also looked at lots of property that had 80 and 100 year old homes that would have had to be gutted! Which would have put us in a bind because remodeling costs a ton and we maybe would have never got the house "right" like so many I've known with fixer uppers....

But like I said... its everything we needed... everything we were looking for. We were so blessed to find the right one that would meet all our needs for building our future farm.

And for a price that was lower than we ever dreamed we would get land for... esp land with so many extras... so so so blessed!!!!

My Bald Man is doing a blog about our "journey" check it out... he's such a funny guy!!!!

http://homesteadvoyage.blogspot.com/

A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING!

2010-11-10T15:43:00.014-05:00

This post is long and exactly what the title says... its alittle bit of everything I've had going on the last few weeks...
First... my well loved Pfaff Embroidery machine has been getting a workout! $1, $3 and $6 dollar thrift store finds are getting new life!
One of my favorite designs is this skull from Urban Boho... added to these two $1 dollar t shirts!
I'm really starting to love appliques... Here is a hot pink jacket for $3.. I added a pink camo lining in the hood and a design on the front from the same cd..

And the skull again! This one is a reverse applique though...

JEANS!!! How I love them!!!! and I have to say finding thrift store jeans that fit my new size is alot easy than the old size!
The first pair I used design CD Glamour Rocks... ripped the old label and added my little RD...

I also added alot of AB crystals... I guess they are my dress jeans.. haha!

The second pair ... riped the old label again... used the Urban Boho cd again....

You can't see in the pic well but on the lower leg applique theres a little peek a boo skull on one of the flowers...

This top I had forever.. was plain and simple... I added studs, and stenciled the crown and butterflies... AB crystals again....

I also had this plain little jacket for awhile... I added a stretch light blue lining in the hood and a reverse applique from the same fabric on the front... still simple... but no longer boring...

$1 thrift find... from Classic Romance cd by Pfaff.

New boring jean jacket for $1... I'll take it...
and make it fashionable! Useing Glamour Rocks CD again.... I added a few rips and snags.. for the cool worn look, ya know! hahaha!!

Ofcourse AB again.... Love this jacket now!

On the canning front.... the last few weeks I've put up Cumin Pickled Squash, Cran-apple relish, Cran apple Blueberry relish, Pear-cran Chutney and Apple Chutney. All DELICIOUS!

Besides making my Bald Man clothes from time to time I LOVE to cook for him... almost everyday... (one night a week we do try to get out!!!)

Sample meal for the Bald Man: Roasted Butternut Squash soup (homemade, my recipe) sweet potato biscuits (recipe from Mountain Country Cooking) and Spaghetti Squash (from our garden!) with chicken sausage and other veggies (my recipe)

We love fresh food... so the Bald Man is making me some mini hoop houses to cover my fall crops so they will hopefully last longer... so far I'm harvesting Kale and Arugula.. lettuce is almost ready! And Broccoli and cauliflower are one the way.. I hope!!!!

I Love my poodles..... they are so trainable, loving and fun! My red baby is growing fast... 7 months and up to 5lbs! Irish is so sweet! I searched along time for him... he was worth it...

My newest baby..... little chocolate girl, Baby Boo... you can't see well in this pic but she has the prettiest green-amber eyes!

You can kinda see little 2pac in the pic too... he's abit upset in the pic... he's not good at sharing....

I searched along time for a chocolate poodle too! She will be bigger than the boys, which is what I wanted since I do plan to breed her to Irish... she's a 3 generation Chocolate and he's got a very strong red back ground... yep it took awhile for me to find the right ones.... but so, so worth it.. I just can't get enough of them... the Bald man loves'em too... they are just the best dog for the house... no shedding,,, little and they travel well.. most of all they are just so highly trainable!!!

I mean... little 5 lb 2pac (3 and half now) knows over 10 cammands and tricks.. thats alot for any dog.. but esp. a tiny dog! Below is a video of Boo's first night home... she is a feisty little thing! At only 9 weeks old too!!!

Tell next time God Bless!! Enjoy life...

More preserving FUN, alittle sewing and crochet fun...

2010-10-22T18:15:00.011-04:00

I just LOVE the way food looks all preserved in canning jars!!!! Here are a couple of my latest... Dill Pickles and Pickled Banana Peppers...so pretty... Since last post I have now started to take over the 3 big shelf in our pantry....

Few more pretties up close.... Canned Summer Squash (great for squash casseroles!) Pickled Hot Peppers (going to be a present for someone!!) and Anise Pears

And I've dried and vacuum bagged about a bushel of apple rings, lots of sweet potatoes and bell peppers!

Anyone know what this is???? Its a Cushaw squash!! This huge squash was only $5!! And they are sooooo good!! Many meals can come out of this on squash (it weights ALOT!)... soup, pies, just roasted is really good to!

I even canned some Cushaw butter! Anything you can do with sweet potatoes or winter squash you can do with a cushaw!

Yep.... Muscadine wine in the making.... also Elderberry wine, Concord wine and an Apple wine.

It takes so long though... which is why The Bald Man and I have been continuing our TN wine country tour!!!

In the middle of my new obsession I have been using my embroidery machine on thrift finds! Like this shirt below... I did the embroidery on the front shoulder....

And on the back using Anita Goodesigns... added alot to this plain shirt... I've done others.. just haven't photographed them.

Did this little door panel for the holiday... which I got at hobby lobby last year after Halloween for $2! It was fun to decorate... and sewed up super fast using fusible fleece for the batting.

And finally finished my crochet sampler!!!! I love it!!!

I am looking forward to more sewing after all the canning is over.... I've got alot of alterations to make too... that I'm not looking forward to!

I also finished another crochet afghan!! Thats going to be a present... yep... Its time to start all my Christmas sewing!

Have a great week!!! God Bless!!

Time Flies....

2010-09-15T12:53:00.008-04:00

Times does fly by these days! And I've not sewed a stitch in over a month... now I've not been lazy! I've crocheted on my cami top and my granny square afghan... still messing around in the garden, though its sadly fading... I plan to try some fall/winter crops to help keep me from getting to sad about it!and I've discovered the absolute joys of CANNING!
For years I've said I was going to learn to can... this year I did! Spiced Peaches... Tomato sauce, Pickled Banana peppers, Vanilla Pears, Brandy Pears, Pear sauce, Roasted red pepper spread, Red wine fig compote.... to name a few... I'm really on the band wagon for canning! I'm also trying to make some Muscadine wine... mmmm...
And we're looking for a farm to buy! Now thats taking alot of time! We REALLY need a farm!!!! Its a long process to find the right land... meanwhile just look at the pretty canned stuff I've made!!!! Veggies and fruits are so pretty all preserved in mason jars.... meanwhile on the health and fitness front... I've lost 20lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and toned up more than ever before! I can believe I'm in the best shape of my life at 36! A size 4 was something I never thought I'd see again!

Especially since I eat so much... I still workout... on a 4 days weights and 4 day cardio plan right now.. which I change every 4 to 6 weeks.

This is another reason I've not been sewing.... I want to be sure my weight is stable before I start cutting out things to sew! I do hope to add more muscle definition by next spring. Hee Hee,,,, my "muscle pose" below.

On a rare night out.... The Bald Man and I have been such homebodies lately....

And how could I forget.... my new red poodle baby... AKC name 'A Little Bit of Irish Luck'.... he answers to Irish or Little bit... 4 months old here... already knows what 'go to bed' means, 'go outside' and knows to sit for treats... what a cute smarty! Going to be a joy top train... I can tell!

Well, except for crate training... he knows to 'go to bed' but he does not like staying there!! Its been a great summer! Hope the fall is blessed too!!!

God bless and take care!

Summer garden, summer sewing, summer FUN!

2010-08-04T15:09:00.014-04:00

Been way to busy to post lately! I barely even check my emails!!!! The garden was in full producing swing a couple of weeks ago and is now starting to play out... and its very sad..... cause I love days when I gather this much food from our little backyard homestead!
I'm especially proud of the cantaloupe!
On the sewing side of things I've been doing mostly embroidery stuff, remaking clothes from thrift stores and such.
But I did make this blue camo handbag/tote... and its my new favorite bag!
Its made from a vintage McCalls 7270...
The complete outside has pockets all around it....

and so does the inside!!! So many pockets! I can carry everything in here! Its actually a reversible bag but I used puppy fabric inside so I probably won't reverse it... maybe if I'm feeling silly.

I used large grommets and glamour rings to hardware it up!

I adore it.... and must make another one!

Like I said before I've been doing tons of embroidery and refashions! These were high waisted skinny jeans.... I cropped them, added a cute brocade to the bottom when I roll them up... took off the waist band, took them in about 2 in. and added this embroidery design from Asian Fusion by Anita Goodesign.

A little t shirt I got from a thrift store for a $1 and appliqued a heart onto... I made a matching bolero too.
btw.... my healthy fitness plan and whole foods diet have still been giving me great results!

If I showed you all , ALL the embroidery I've done lately you would be so bored with my blog by now,... so moving on!

The Bald Mans new shirt..... cause I love my Bald Man, I must take time to make him nice stuff too....

This fabric was to busy for much embroidery but I have to add alittle bit some where...

Makes the shirt so much more unique.... much like the Bald Man!!

For more fun..... Bald Man took me and my teenage niece Brittany to the 7 dust, 10 years, Shinedown, Puddle of Mudd and Chevelle concert....

Puddle of Mudd in this pic... they were good, but the lead singer really needed to clean up his mouth a bit.... no need to use the f word THAT much! Just sing and preform for us!!

Chevelle, this was the second time I've saw them... Love them! Love their music and they don't talk to much... they play!!! There can't possibly be 3 louder guys in the world though!!!

Here's a little video from the head lining act.. Shinedown.... singing 45, Love the song... these guys put on a good show.... BUT the lead singer talked to much

All in All.... we're having a great summer! Hope you are too!

God Bless!!!!!!

A Little Break... Back to Work!!!

2010-07-09T14:32:00.009-04:00

My Bald Man and I took a little trip on the holiday weekend to Tellico Plains.. now growing up in Athens, TN I have been to the falls and river up there often.. but Bald Man, after living in TN for over 20 yrs had never been!!! Ofcourse we had to take Pac, he loves a good road trip! This is at the overlook going up to Indian Boundary Lake ...

Down by Tellico river... Bald Man just had to 'test' the water and see how cold it was... yeah.. its pretty cold,,, mountain rivers typically are.

Bald River Falls....

I am the first to admit we do not take advantage of living so close to such a beautiful area... many beautiful natural areas are so close to us ! I mean, in K town... we are so close to the Smokies,,, not far from lots of North Carolina mountain lakes.... we really should get out more and explore close to home.

I used to enjoy hiking a bit... but after almost stepping right on a huge copper head up in Coker Creek I stopped... that was 16 yrs ago. I think it may be time to 'let it go' haha!! and hit the trails every now and then. After all, its great exercise!

But now back at the homestead.... my work... (joy) this week is to make Bald Man a new shirt...

so far its all cut out and the collar is almost ready to go on. This is a super easy shirt to make.. Hopefully I will get it done tomorrow!

Remember, all you who sew out there, sew for your man! He will buy you more fabrics and machines!! hahaha!

I've had several embroidery projects I've wanted to get to...

The first one is this thrift store pair of cropped skinny jeans ($5).....

I finished the leg embroidery today and did some Sashiko stitching on the pockets... I'm also adding a brocade detail to it.. and maybe 1 more thing.....

Below...

This is now on the back of my short sleeve hooded knit jacket,thrift store find, ofcourse ($3)

A pink camo skull!!!!! Done with reverse applique', the little flower was done regular applique style! LOVE IT!

And its not done either.... I need to add something to the front and I want to line the hood with cute fabric (probably pink camo... shocker!)

Both these designs are from Anita Gooddesigns.. Urban Boho and Asian Fusion,

her embroidery cd's are my favorites! I need a few more from her collections!

Everyone have a blessed weekend....

God is so good to us....

Whoo Hoo! we're getting lots of rain today.... much needed rain!

Wardrobe Basics and the Garden out of control!

2010-07-03T15:08:00.013-04:00

We planned carefully this year... not wanting to crowd any of our plants... but we still have an jungle instead of a garden!! haha!! Its just a tiny garden space... but do we ever get the most out of it! Just check my Bald Man out with his sweet corn he loves so much!

Yellow squash and zucchini are abundant! My pepper plants are doing well... and Bald Man's roma tomato plant is loaded... and I have quite a few heirlooms waiting to ripen ... which I'm excited about!

We also have snow peas ready to eat! And in the works... eggplant, acorn squash, spaghetti squash, cantaloupe and so much more! I'm gonna need to hit the vegan and vegetarian web sites for some veggies recipes!

As for the sewing I've been doing... all basic stuff.... like these shorts below...

I'm working on re doing my favorite shorts patterns because my booty is higher (and firmer) than it was and my pattern no longer works!

The bottom pair was the first wearable muslin I did... not perfect yet... still working! As you can see...

Though not the perfect fit I'm wearing them anyways here... with the new tank top I made (yes! more pink camo clothes!!) And this little vest I made.... The fabric is a bridal embroidery type... I saw a similar one in a fashion mag but it was long and a bit more dressy... my version is short and sweet... more casual but could be dressy up.

Another easy one shoulder tank... made in less than an hour.... both of these tops are knit fabrics...
And a chiffon, animal print tunic. I used my felting machine to dis stress this fabric which made the animal print much brighter and ofcourse gave it a really cool texture detail... that you can't see in the photo... I added some lace to the neckline... another cute detail you can't really see.. sorry!

Well thats about it... I have some embroidery projects I really wanna get to soon! I'm still working out and my body is still changing with the workouts so I'm really trying not to sew very many clothes... unless its knits or something easy to alter! Like shorts!

I've actually bumped my cardio up to 6 days a week... along with my weights 4 days. The new workout I'm doing, which is in last issue of Fitness rx, is awesome and I'm responding very well to it!

God bless and HAPPY 4th!!!! Have a safe wonderful holiday!

Double Chocolate Mocha Zucchini Brownie Cups

2010-06-29T14:53:00.004-04:00

With the ABUNDANCE of squash and zucchini in our garden right now I have been coming up with some creative ways of eating them.... I've made baked zucchini fries (yum!) and a zucchini crisp several times so I decided today I needed to make something different... The thing is it still has to fit into my healthy eating menu so I re did my Zucchini Brownie recipe from last year... which had alot more carbs and a bit more fat! Healthy fats,.. but still!

Double Chocolate Mocha Zucchini Brownie Cups

2oz. unsweetened dark chocolate or cacao

1 egg

1/2 cup agave nectar (i use the dark raw kind)

1/4 fresh brewed espresso

2 cups of oat flour

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

2 cups shredded zucchini

1/3 cup walnuts

Pre heat oven at 350F. Mix all ingredients. I used my cupcake pans with liners for these. makes for easier clean up and I know exactly what I'm getting! I use an ice cream scoop and only 1 scoop per cup. Bake for about 15 min.

This recipe makes 30 cupcakes.

Calories 89, Fat 4, Carbs 12, Protein 3

These are the perfect size for a snack or small dessert. Most perfect with 2 TBS of Fat free whip cream. They are not super sweet (cause I just don't care for overly sweet stuff) but it you do you may want to add 1/2 cup of another sweetener. I guess useing the oat flour makes these gluten free too!

A Great Weekend!!!!

2010-06-18T10:01:00.017-04:00

Well, last weekend we had so much fun! So let me tell ya about it! It started off with Friday night. We went to the Golden Shisha ... The Bald Man proudly wearing the much needed new shirt I made him! The Fabric was from Gail K's in Atl. (and I have enough left over for a handbag!)

I used the Islander pattern I always use for him... only took me like a day and a half to make it this time! Added a bible verse patch to the sleeve.. and check out the back... you see a good pic of the cheetah on it!

Fitness and healthy eating plan... going very well. The pic on the right is me Friday June the 11th 2010! The pic on the right was me last summer June 6th 2009. 12 pounds heavier and a whole lot flabbier! And not near as healthy looking!!! The Bald Man even took last years pic from a down angle or else I would look bigger I'm sure!
This was one of the tops in the mighty 'to be altered' pile! Which I am still working on!

Below is a picture of the lovely Mia, the bellydancer at the new and fabulous hookah cafe, The Golden Shisha here in Knoxville. I made this costume for another bellydancer about a year ago who proved to be a pain in the a** so I told her I wasn't making her a costume... I planned to put this on ebay since I didn't know anyone small enough to wear it around here... then I met Mia and she fits it perfect!!! Its made from an antique Indian sari I found at a thrift store in Atlanta. .. So there can never be another one!

So Friday night was fun!!!!

Now lets talk about Saturday!!! We went to Chattanooga to stay the night ... for this

The Battle at the River Body building, figure and bikini competition!!!!!

I had never been to any thing like this!

And honestly I went because I am thinking of training for the Bikini division of the competition.

Below is a pic of a womens figure category... such hard work goes into competing for something like this!

Even though I went to see the women compete I really really enjoyed the mens competition!!

Like I told Bald Man... its not because I think bodybuilders are hot (though some are) its because I am amazed at the way they transform their bodies into mountains!!!!
Seriously AMAZING!

The Bald Man did admit the mens competitions were way more entertaining.... the women just don't get the same amount of time to 'show off' and show their personalities.

Especially during the "pose offs" My favorite part!!!!! when the finalist try and out pose each other!!! so fun! You can imagine the whooping and hollering taking place here, it really revved up the guys!

The guy in the middle in the pic below is from Knoxville.... I could not stop staring at his legs!!!!

Crazy! There were actually alot of people competing from Knoxville.... I don't know where these people hang out cause I've never seen people like this here!

This guy below here was a Pro competitor.... all I can say is wow....

He was a special guest... he's from Whales and lives in Brentwood TN of all places!!! This was just a fun event and I can't wait to go to the next one... which is in August!!

And ofcourse after I talk to a trainer or two then I can decide if I might want to compete in the Bikini category... and what it will take to get me there! I don't know if I can do it... I've looked at a few pre contest plans here and there... they are sooooo intense! I keep thinking though... how amazing would I feel just to get to that point of fitness.

Sunday we went to one of our favorite restaurants 212 Market Street for an amazing brunch! Then to the Tennessee Aquarium!! We had a blast there too!

I especially loved the butterfly pavilion! and the seahorse exhibit!

Well, thats all for now! Hopefully I can finish up all the alterations and get to sewing something new soon!

I don't think this weekend will be as eventful but it will still be a blessed wonderful weekend...

Thanks and Praise to God!

Take care everyone and have a great weekend and week!

New Handbags, Sashiko project and lots of boring stuff!

2010-06-11T15:28:00.009-04:00

I made these a few weeks ago... but forgot to take pics and post... 2 more interchangeable handbags from the Ellen Medlock pattern.... this first one is made from some really soft leather that used to be the Bald Man's jacket. Its cuter as my purse! The polka dot fabric is from my mom. The second bag is made from some table cloth/straw like fabric... for some reason it was in my fabric stash... which worked out perfect because Chanel did alot of handbags this spring with a basket straw look that I wanted to add to my handbag collection.

I embroidered the flower appliques with my Pfaff, added a hot fix pearl to the center... the lace is from an old dressy skirt outfit my mom had.

Love the lace!! I'm glad I could find something to do with it! I think it gives the purse a slight vintage look. I have lots of lace left over for future projects too!

This is a pair of dress pants I bought from Burlington Coat factory for $10. The waist band of the pants actually already had sashiko stitching on it!! I added the Koi fish with my machine to the leg... I thought this was going to be hard....but it really wasn't. Love that machine...

Now... I bought this Tinkerbell fabric and I have no ideal what the heck I'm going to do with it!
But its soooooo cute! I'm sure it will end up a handbag of some kind!

Ha! More camo fabric! The grey is going to be a pair or capri's and the blue is going to be a round drawstring tote like the one this spring in the Blumarine collection! I have the perfect pattern!

This week I made myself a shirt... yet to be worn and the Bald Man a shirt... also not been worn yet... we're saving our new stuff for Saturday night.. we're going to a show... more on that later!

Also this week I've also been working on altering clothes.... mostly taking up the waist, raising the neckline. I have 17 items of clothing that needs altering and/or updating. This is the boring stuff I was talking about....

I actually got half of it done today and feel like I have lots of new clothes now! haha!! The updating part is fun... its just the altering!

Thats all for now! I'll have pics of our new stuff I made next week.

Have a blessed weekend!!!!!!

As my Wardrobe Grows....

2010-06-04T12:19:00.013-04:00

I love clothes.... they are so much fun to make and even more fun to wear! This is a long post! Lots of 'me' pics... since the clothes are for me!
The first outfit is one I actually made in April and I'm just now showing!!! It took MUCH planning!!! I wanted an outfit that would really go from day to night! I spent at lest a week playing with a color palette, the fabric textures... then the details... and how to simply re-work the patterns so they would work for my outfit ideals.
First I made the reversible bolero made with S2659, leaving the collar off... I used some fabric that was a gift from my mothers best friend Gloria, a pinstripe navy... I designed this on the back of the casual side of the jacket and used my Sashiko Machine to sew out the design and top stitched with it all around. The dress is S6242. I had to made major adjustments to the top so it wouldn't be to low and I used the Sashiko machine to make criss cross designs all over the bodice.
I only used the front and back panels for the dress bottom and left out the elastic... no elastic waistbands! .. they look frumpy on me. The bottom fabric was some I bought at Goodwill.

Here is the jacket reversed for a "dressy" look. I used a real Chinese brocade (yep, straight from China) that was a gift to my mother...from my brothers inlaws.... who later gave it to me.

AND to make even dressier... the lower tear of the dress snaps off.. making it more of a cocktail length.

See why this took so much planning and time!!!

Below....Two weeks ago I did the cut out embroidery on the H&M $6 tank top neckline!!! I am quite proud of it!! It was the first time I ever did cut work embroidery!!

I think making this $6 bargain top look pretty good! and bit more than $6!

I paired it with a skirt and bolero I knocked off from Chanel.

The dress below was made last week.... its Burda 7970 I've made it before but just the top version. Fabric was from Gail K's. Easy to make... took an afternoon. I like the little cut out cleavage... sexy but not to much!

I guess you can tell I'm really happy with it too.... I'm also really happy with the navy studded platforms I got at DSW in ATL ... Original price $280... I paid $60!

And here is a top I made last week also, useing Kwik Sew 3016. I've made it before also. Super easy... less than an hour! I used some leftover fabric from my 'cutout' dress... just have enough for this little halter!! and ofcourse the nude lining!!!

My wardrobe is slowly being build back from the ruthless closet cleaning I did a few months ago... only this time its clothing that well thought out, in colors I know work on me, and styles I know I'll wear again and again!

Also, looking at these pics I really like my hair the color it is now... I should never be that dark again!!!!!

AND from the pics... looks like my fitness plan is working. whoo hoo!!

On fitness.....I have decided to not go on with weeks 5-8 of the Hers challenge... I decided my body needed a little more in the way of fat burning... since I really want my body fat % down... along with lean muscle growth....so.... I changed this 4 weeks to a 3 day total body circuit, also with 1 day core work, 1 day yoga and 4 days cardio. Gotta change it up or your body gets used to your workout and stops responding. Let me tell ya... my body is responding to this plan... hardcore.... I've been sore for 2 weeks... and I love it...

On the healthy diet front..... I have changed it up too.... below 130g. carbs (which was on the nutrition plan for the hers challenge ) does not work for me... I have to have around 150g. to keep feeling good.

And 180 gr. of protein was seriously making me gag and week 5-8 of the hers plan kicked it up to 200grams!!!! I've cut it back to 130 to 140grams a day...(which is what oxygen recommends... 1 gram of protein for every pound of body weight) I'm handling this ok....

I just really don't care for meat....and can't afford to eat fish and seafood everyday! I'm hoping this cut back won't keep me from gaining some muscle.

I ate so much the first 4 weeks of the plan... that this 4 weeks I'm having to make myself eat....

This month I've lost another half inch on my waist, inch on my hips, 2 inchs on my chest and half inch on my thighs.

At first I was shocked I had so much fat around my chest area... but I'm honestly glad to lose the inches... my bras are fitting so much better and my neck has stopped hurting! and its not like I'm going to get small chested... haha!

This week I made a baby pink camo top and I'm working on the Bald Man a new shirt... which he says is long over due... considering what an awesome husband he is and all.... and he is! In Atl last weekend I did hit Gail K's pretty hard... and he never blinked an eye... in fact while I was getting what I had cut he was still looking for more fabric for me!

Love that man!

You all have a blessed weekend!

New Camo Dress, Gardening, Embroidery, Sashiko & Quilting!!

2010-05-21T15:28:00.008-04:00

Whew, we've been busy! Between trying to get my son finished with his home schooling for the year, our little backyard garden project (which I admit The Bald Man has taken over!) going into work at our business twice a week and ofcourse working out like a crazy person... I have still found time to sew... a little...
Check out our back yard garden... its coming along!! I saw a tiny squash yesterday... And picked my first batch of lettuce from my deck garden...

Here's one of the embroidery projects I did a couple of weeks ago... I couldn't post them till now because they were part of my moms Mothers day present... coffee themed kitchen towels... cute!

I fancied them up after the embroidery with some lace...

This week I made some of my quilt... here's the fabrics up close... I love mermaids!

Its a very simple quilt project... its my first real quilt...a queen size!! I have all the squares sewn together... I have to find something for the borders... then it'll be off to mom's for the quilting part.. because she has a big long arm fancy quilt machine (a machine I don't have... yet... heehee!)

A wall hanging ! All stitching done with my babylock sashiko machine!

This dress was made a couple of weeks ago and I forgot to post it!!! It was supposed to be a shirt but it came out sooooo long I decided why waste all that fabric by cutting it off... I do love a mini dress... Its made from pattern M6034... I know I just made a camo dress with this same fabric... but it was different... I don't think I can have to many pink camo outfits anyways!!

See much different than the last one... its sleeveless and has pleats all down the sides ...

Also, this week I started another sashiko wall hanging, and made 2 purses... embroidered a camisole top (turned out so nice even with the mistakes I made) And I finally finished the animal print chiffon I was distressing on my felting machine!

More later!

God bless and have a great weekend!!!

Workin' It with weights

2010-05-13T14:28:00.013-04:00

Ok, some of you asked about my nutrition/fitness plan in my last post... and some of you emailed me... so I'll start from the beginning...
I have been a on fitness 'journey' ! Working out like I never have before in my whole life!! Working out like I never thought I could... eating like I never have... here's the best part... I've liked it... alot.
Now I have always had to watch my weight... its very easy for 5..10lbs to creep up on me. But like most other women I cut carbs/calories/fat, did some kind of aerobics... step, hi-lo, walking until I lost it.
Which then I would slip back into old habits and have to start all over.
Well in Dec. 09 I decided it was time to lose the 10lbs I put on that year... and I started up with the usual... only, not having worked out in a year I started mighty slow... 15 t0 20 min. of aerobics for 4 or 5 days... working up to 30 min. then to 40 min.
My eating was cut back, its always been clean and whole foods, but my portions were to large... and after 1 month of that I didn't have great results... so I added some light weights... high reps... thats been known to help 'tone up' right? I mean... I'm 36 now.. everyone has warned me.. its not as easy to lose now... you're losing muscle tone every year now... your metabolism is starting to suck now.....
Fine... another month of aerobics, clean eating, low fat, light weights....
dropped 3lbs... that came back on somedays... ha!
and had no muscle tone what so ever.... at 36 10 extra lbs looks alot worse than 10 extra lbs at 26.... not to mention.... didn't I used to have a higher ass just a couple of years ago????????????!!!!!!!! Crap!
Then one day... looking for motivation in the book store at the magazine rack I saw this lady...... Tosca Reno.... the great inspiration.... can you believe she was overweight? ever? She started working out in her 40's!!!!!!! and now at 51 she looks amazing.... I was floored.... her website is http://www.eatcleandiet.com/ check it out for her story and then get her books!

After reading about her and seeing her articles in Oxygen Magazine I was convinced that lifting weights... really lifting weights was what I needed to do to get the body I wanted.

Oxygen magazine is a great monthly inspiration I look forward to!

So following one of the diets in this magazine and one of the workout plans I dropped 10lbs without stressing. And started to see a tiny bit of muscle...

Then I discovered Muscle and Fitness Hers.... a bit more hardcore training... this is where I found my current nutrition and workout plan... the plan is for people who want to lose fat and gain lean muscle.

Its a 8 week plan... weeks 1-4 the training is: 4 days of weight training with 3 days of cardio for 30 min each time, leaving a day in between your cardio.... I love it.... I am almost done with the first part of this plan, I haven't lost anymore weight... BUT I'm really seeing some tone and muscle starting to build... and I'm down like 2 sizes.... I'm amazed. The nutrition plan is simple...about 1600 calories, 180 grams of lean proteins, 40 grams of healthy fats, 140 grams of complex carbs.... I am almost done with week 3... one more week... then I switch it up... the plan changes quite abit on week 5-8. I can't wait to see what happens then. For this plan in detail get the current Hers magazine.

In addition to the plan I'm taking, ofcourse a multi-vitamin and Tonalin CLA.

I started Cordygen5 today... its for endurance during cardio training.

I take Juggernaut Pre-workout on weight lifting days... Its working well. I started it this week and was able to increase my weights and have TONS of energy.

For a protein supplement I like GNC's Amp Wheybolic Extreme 60... getting in 180 grams of muscle building protein would be impossible without this stuff... and its so good!!! I have a scoop in my oats in the morning and a scoop and a half post workout shake of this stuff.... sometimes I add a few peaches. I always make it with green tea.

This stuff is sooooo yummy... BSN Dessert. A mix of whey and casein protein taken an hour or two before bed to help nourish and build muscles while they rest.

This is a great nightly treat!!! Makes such a thick creamy shake! just add water...

Dieting has never been better.

Well, thats what I've been doing... plus I just added 2 days a week of yoga too... and I cut out ALL alcohol... martini's, wine, all of it... I could still have a glass or 2 of wine but I've stopped wanting it for now. something has completely killed the craving for it. Now I'm the chic at the bar with club soda and lime that the bar tenders hate... haha.. The Bald Man tips well enough so they don't get to mad though.. plus he still like his cocktail on the weekend.

.... so, 10lbs lighter, 2 sizes smaller and starting to see muscles I forgot I had... I'm addicted. Its the muscle thing... weight loss was boring to me... sure I lose, look a little better... but with muscle, the transformation is driving me to want more... plus I like how you get to eat when you're building muscle.
Here's to hoping weeks 5-8 go as well as 1-4 have so far!

Then after that... I need a trainer... lucky there are some buff competitors here in Knoxville that train!

God Bless you ALL... and good luck for those of you who wrote me wanting to know what I was doing.

I am so thankful I found this way of fitness and nutrition. God has given us amazing bodies that can be shaped so nicely with a little work!

Kwik Sew Outfit and a fit update

2010-05-08T14:56:00.005-04:00

The jacket and shorts are both Kwik sew patterns. I've been wanting to make a boyfriend jacket for spring and here it is! Fabric was a gift from my Great Aunt Mildred in Nashville... I had just enough for the jacket and shorts!!! Cute... and I need another one... I have the perfect pink and white tweed too!!!
The jacket is KS3058 and the shorts are KS3061. I made the shorts in an afternoon... super easy mock fly zipper instructions on this pattern!!!
The jacket took 2 afternoons... about 4 hours I guess. Both went together fast and easy. Kwik Sew always does have great instructions! Plus no tissue pattern.

My fitness and nutrition plan seems to be working! I'm not trying to lose weight now.... just lower my body fat and build muscle.... so even though the scale doesn't show it... I'm down several inches and a couple of sizes. So I'm trying to only make things that are very stretchy or easy to alter! Since I've never worked out to achieve these kinds of results I have no ideal what size or shape my body will take if I stick with it.
I feel like I eat all the time on this menu plan!!! SOOOOOO much protein is required to build muscle... I had no ideal... anytime in the past when I've tried to "get in shape" I cut fat/carbs/calories, did step aerobics 5 days a week and very light weights with high reps.
With this plan (which I am LOVING and finding fairly easy to follow) Its weight lifting, low reps, higher weight 4 days a week(love this alot) cardio 3 times a week for 30min ( I find this pretty easy but next month I up it to 45min!!! Thats a challenge!) and the menu plan is moderate complex carbs only(ex. oatmeal, whole grains, sweet potatoes) moderate healthy fats only (almonds, peanut butter, olive oil)
ofcourse non starchy veggies, and high... super high on the protein. Can I just say I love protein shakes.... yum!!!!!!!!! I could drink them all day.... I have atlest 2... sometimes 3 a day,,, on top of all the other food I have to eat.... and sometimes I actually hit the number of protein grams I'm supposed to have a day!
I've never had this much fun getting in shape..... lets see if I can hang with it when the cardio gets upped next month....

Brit's 1st Prom... my new HOT dress!!!

2010-04-30T13:25:00.007-04:00

Last Friday was my niece Britney's prom... here she is with her date... love the posing...
They do look cute... she said they were the best looking couple there... I know, so modest! She must get that from me!! lol!!! I always say... if you look good... "own it!" but if you don't... gotta own that too!(and better do something about it!!)
There's more pics on my mom's blog http://cottonpatchquilts.blogspot.com/

Here she is before the prom. I did her hair and make-up... which I do think she was kinda shocked it turned out good... ha! I've been trying to tell her for years she could learn a thing from her Aunt Ang! I believe in the power of make-up! I mean... I even went to school for it!

Ok.... sewing projects now.... There are quite a few pics of me in this white dress.... Because I LOVE it!!!!

In a fashion magazine (I can't remember which one cause I read them all) there was a photo shoot titled "White is the new Black for summer"

Along with cut outs being so hot this summer... I came up with this..... fabric is from the way over priced, but fabulous Rex's in Miami.

I am not naked under it!!! I underlined it with a nude spandex.

I love this dress... I love wearing white! I didn't make this tight fitting since the illusion of 'skin' was enough 'sexy' for me on this dress... The Bald Man was disappointed when I showed him the dress but then told him it was not form fitting....that made me mad.... then when he saw it on me... he changed his mine and said" wow, thats sexy but classy too!"

wow, Bald Man.... I must know what I'm doing!! haha!! Men!!

Here's a pic in my burgundy shorts... made the week before... along with an old tank top I added studs too (and need to add a few more) and the denim jacket I showed with the embroidery I added in a previous post.

This week I have been working on a long boyfriend jacket.. and have cut out a pair of shorts.

I'm also planning another white dress I think....

Take care and God Bless!!! Have a great weekend!!!

Here in TN we are supposed to get some thunderstorms... which is fine and saves me from watering my garden... just as long as there are no tornadoes attached to them!

Also coming up..... I have a give away to do soon.....

The Fun Outfit

2010-04-18T14:13:00.006-04:00

Here is my pink camo!! All sewn up in a mini skirt! With the jacket I bleached and destroyed like the one in Elle I saw... and a tank from H&M ($6) that I added some stretch lace and sequins too.
Great Saturday night spring out fit! The first pic is blurry... sorry. I Love my jacket.... it always feels great to do RTW knock offs so cheaply!!

You can't really see the lace/sequins I added to the top for the tank.... but check out the awesome shoes I got from DSW on my last ATL trip... ha! they make me super tall!!!! I have a hang up about being 5'5... because my brother, mom and dad are ALL tall!! And now my son is 6'3".... making me feel super short.... though I guess my height is average or a little below..

I love my camo mini.... I also love that I have some left over fabric!!! yeppeeee..... The Bald Man suggested a tank... which I think that would be great with jeans.

I'm also happy to say that my clean eating and workout schedule still seem to be working. 4 more weeks of what I'm doing now then I'm gonna switch it up!

Now if only I could find someone who could actually get my hair right! Red just keeps coming back and I hate it!

Last week I also made a grey button up and a snake skin mini... pics will be taken as soon as I wear them! And I embroidered a pair of pants turned capris.

This week.... still don't know what to start next.... white mini dress or floral tunic with sequin mini skirt.... I have gone mini crazy a bit lately...

Busy Embroidery Machine

2010-04-10T17:40:00.005-04:00

I haven't done to much this week.... except workout, cook... work at our business for a few hours.
I did sew another pair of dress shorts... burgundy color! Just what I needed... and I bleached and destroyed a jacket to look like a designer jacket I saw. I meant to take pics!!! but forgot...
I decided this week I needed to start doing up all those jeans and denim jackets I got at Goodwill and Rag a Rama. I mean, I got rid of half of my wardrobe in the Personal style project... there is some room in the closet and this will fill gaps quickly. Plus everything I bought was so cheap!! I came out way better doing this. I love denim and jeans!!!
Here's the first doing up project.... a pair of AE jeans... I used designs from Anita Goodesign Cowboy Couture.... and some studs I got from ebay! I love how these turned out and they might be my new favorite pair of jeans. The pictures on the design cd use rhinestones but I thought that was a bit to 'rhinestone cowgirl'.... haha! Plus unless you've completely ignored every fashion magazine for spring, studs are very in! And I was looking for ways to put them into my wardrobe without looking biker-ish. Studs on the back pockets and one front pocket too....

Next is a short sleeve denim jacket. I used Anita Goodesigns Asian Fusion for this project.

I might should have put the back design up higher... but I hate when I've done a design on the back and my hair hides it... thats why its lower.

Here's a little pic of the color palette for a major project I completed a month ago.... Pictures soon!!! I love blues...

Back to the garden! Its a beautiful day!!!!! Praise God for SPRING!!!!

Even if the flower pollen is making my allergies crazy!
This week I'm going to try and get another button up made, as well as some more 'doing up' denim projects!!!

New Clothes for a trip to ATL and a fabric haul!

2010-04-02T15:29:00.007-04:00

Here is Burda 7550 and S 3684.... now the shorts (7550) fit perfect, as all Burda young pants patterns do! I haven't wore shorts in a really long time. Due to not having shapely legs cause I was to lazy to work out.... that has changed since Dec.09 I have been working out 5 days a week and now have shape back in my legs!!! Hello shorts and mini skirts! I already have the fabric laid out to make more of these simple dressy shorts... they only took a few hours to make.
The shirt, another cup size option pattern, didn't fit as well as the other button up I made. Thinking it would I didn't add any extra seam allowance.... the result was it being a tiny bit to tight across the bust... so I put buttons up to the 'stretch point' then added buttons on both sides all the way up to the collar... so it looks like it was meant to be a deep v-neck and I'm not just unbuttoning it! This all means I can't wear it to the super market but its great for a late night dinner in ATL.... which is where I am in these pics! Here's the jacket I was working on last week, all finished up and perfect for a cool spring evening.

I made the silver chain and pearl necklace out of a belt at Goodwill ($2)

I've not done alot of crocheting lately... I'm working on a halter top... but working very slowly! ha! I've not had my crochet mojo working! But I have done these granny squares... using left over yarns. I'm making 1 to 3 a month to be sewn together at the end of the year into an afghan that someone might get for Christmas!

While in Atl the ever important trip was made to Gail K's.... I have been sewing alot so I have no guilt at all on buying fabric... even though my stash is huge... heehee!

Below is a Fabric the Bald Man picked out for a shirt... he picked out some cool buttons too. This keeps him busy while I load up....

My haul..... a sheer floral knit, a pink, raspberry and white tweed, dusty purple knit, beautiful blue knit, a jade and purple silk, lt. grey knit.... last but not least... a pink camo stretch woven!!

We left last Saturday and got back Tuesday... and I've not sewn anything... but my embroidery machine has been busy with a goodwill denim short sleeve jacket.... and I've been working on an old pair of favorite jeans.... they are looking awesome and I can't wait to take pics! And I destroyed (in a good way) and bleached white a long sleeve denim jacket (goodwill again).. a total knock off ideal...

Until next week.....

Have a HAPPY EASTER! Praise God for Jesus Christ! He is RISEN! and I am so blessed to know it!

A Jacket, T-shirts and some Jewelry!

2010-03-25T15:05:00.010-04:00

Here is what I did last week.....First we have.... NL 6610! Not one of those fabulous cup size patterns I'm obsessed with but it didn't matter because I wasn't going to have any kind of closure on this any ways....
This is a lovely light weight green and white tweed given to me by my Great Aunt Mildred in Nashville. And its a great fit! I lined it with some floral cotton my Mom gave me last year while she was cleaning out her huge stash of cotton fabrics!

I used 8mm iridescent sequins, 4mm pearls, 6mm pearls and a few 8mm silver sequins for the hand beaded cuffs I wanted to do.

And here's the picture I got the ideal from... I made my jacket longer and didn't use the beading on the mandarin collar. I found a great pearl and silver chain belt at Goodwill I plan to make into a necklace and wear with it.

This is a purchased long sleeve t-shirt (clearance at Hobby Lobby $3)... I did the screen printing using Simply Screen,, added some crystals.... lovely, stylish and cheap new T-shirt! I actually made this one a few weeks ago.

These 2 were made last week... this is another clearance T.... and I used Simply Screen and a stencil on it... and a few crystals.

This is a short sleeve T from walmart clearance $5. I used stencils, stamps, Simply Screen and crystals. I think I got a bit to carried away on this t!!! But I still like it!

This pic to the left is a Betsey Johnson necklace I love... but refused to pay the high price for... I don't like the gold on this piece and I don't like the purple yarn... and I find it a bit crazy to pay high prices for jewelry thats not even real silver... not even gold plated! no semi precious stones, no swavorski crystals!!! .. just costume jewelry for to much money...

Here's the one I made... I used 2 different tones of silver chains, swavorski crystals on the dangles... no gold and no yarn.... I have maybe $8 dollars in this... esp. since the crystals were on sale! Lovely chandler earrings... much needed in my jewelry closet! I used all Swavorski crystals and peals... making stuff like this isn't my favorite thing... but I sure love the outcome!

This was a plain silver and rhinestone necklace on clearance at Target for $4.... I bought a pack of charms for $3 and made a cute charm necklace.

This took awhile to make... I saw one very similar in a magazine,can't remember which one or who made it, but I remember the price... $294.... I made this for less than $10. And I already know the dress I'm going to make to wear with it!

These some great Goodwill finds that will be properly embroidered, dis stressed, embellished or what ever else I decided to do! Thats probably gonna have to wait till next week though...

This week I made another blouse... pink... so pretty and a pair of dressy navy pinstripe shorts to be worn with some tights/hose and navy wedge shoes.

I think they look great together and I'm hoping for a warm enough weekend to wear the outfit this weekend!

Till next time.... Happy sewing, crafting and creating!!! And God Bless!!!

a Marilyn Monroe Corset top and Cheshire Handbag

2010-03-16T12:44:00.006-04:00

Here is my Corset top, made last week using S2440... Fabric was from Gail K's in ATL. The pattern is for a full formal dress but as you can see I only used the bodice... Its another one of those great cup size option patterns that makes my sewing life so easy! I added boning on all seams and straps. Changed the back zipper to a side zipper.Very easy to make. Ha! My new hand bag.... using another one of Ellen Medlock's patterns.... this is my 'Cheshire cat' handbag. Now this isn't really Cheshire cat fabric but thats what it reminds me of... you know when he disappears and alls left is his eyes and singing smiling mouth...

Ofcourse the inside is lined with something silly...

I love it! Its goofy and cute, with plenty of room!

Here's the pants I made last week... they are finished now and like all the other pants I've made from this RTW copy the fit is right on. I got this fabric at Goodwill.... 5yrds for like $3!

This week my sewing room is getting a bit of a break...I've been busy running my son here and there.... getting my hair done , etc. I've been planning on some upcoming embroidery projects... I do have a jacket all cut out and ready to sew when the mood hits and time allows!
But its good for me to take a step back and look at what I've made since my personal style project... so far so good!

Two Outfits for a Night out!

2010-03-10T10:39:00.005-05:00

Saturday night is our night out and we both had new clothes to wear that I made last week!!
Here is Vogue 1020.... I have made this dress before and I've also made the shirt version twice.. I love it... super easy and really flattering. I cut it out one day and made it in a couple of hours the next.
I got this fabric at Gail K's in ATL... while doing my personal style look book projects I noticed alot of military and camo stuff for spring in the fashion magazines.... so I just had to find some pink camo! Here is The Bald Man's new shirt... I told y'all the more shirts I make him the more machines and fabric he'll buy!!! ;-)
The is the Islander sewing pattern I always use for him....Made this in 2 days... I'm getting faster! The pattern says it can easily be made in 4 hours... not quite there yet.... haha. Ofcourse the embroidery adds time to it.

This more machines I can point out that I used the better.... here's some embroidery..

he picked out this fabric himself and I was scared... but I think it turned out really good.

He picked out the buttons too. The Asian symbol means wisdom.

Back yoke, left shoulder...

Back yoke right shoulder...

Making mens shirts would be boring but getting to add embroidery to it makes it fun.

This week I have made a new pair of dress pants... navy with beige pinstripes... finished up today! I did a screen print stencils on a long sleeve t shirt today too.... and I cut out 4 patterns! AND I cut out and started a corset top.... should be finished by the end of the week if I have no fit problems.

Y'all have a great week!!!

Lots going on here!

2010-03-06T14:44:00.014-05:00

So I finished my coat refashion embroidery project.. just in time for it to warm up! But that's ok.. I'm ready for spring!!! Anyways.. I can't decide... no flowers up top on the lapel or should I add 1.. or more.. what do you think????

Here's a close up of the embroidery.... love the 3d flower effect! And the extra large design was pretty easy thanks to the grand hoop my Pfaff 2170 uses!

I added new buttons.. the old ones were tarnished gold... and ugly.

I had so much fun re fashioning this coat! And I think it looks great...its exactly what my coat closet needed.... if I could just decide about the lapel....

Here's another pair of boots I embroidered... these were $3 at a thrift store... perfect for embroidery projects! The butterfly is 3d! I've got lots of compliments on these....

I also added a applique 3d embroidery flower to the recent purse I just made... I think it adds a little more style to it.

Recent crochet projects finished.... A bolero... because I wear them soooo often!

This pic didn't turn out the way I wanted but this yarn is beautiful! Its black alpaca with sliver, gold, blue and pink sparkle threads all through it !! Making it compatible with lots of my wardrobe!
Its now a long sleeve triangle lace shrug...

This week on the sewing machine..... The Bald Man's new shirt! He picked this fabric out himself while we were in ATL last time at Gail K's. I am finished with it... I'll get pics when we go out tonight. Ofcourse he wanted embroidery on it but I finished it up in 2 days... not bad time.... Ya know I have to make him shirts and stuff from time to time so he'll keep buying me machines!

;-)

On the felting/punch machine.... animal print chiffon.... I'm punching/distressing this fabric to give it some texture.... this project will take awhile....

Also on the sewing machine..... My new mini dress!!!!! with this fabric! I love the military trends I've seen in this springs fashion mags... she here's my version of it! Its done and I'll get pics of it to when we go out! Saturday night is Sushi night for us!

I've also been organizing and re organizing my 3 sewing rooms... Its coming together!

And here's the other B-day present my mom give me.... a quilted wall hanging she made. "what fabric"!!!! hahaha exactly what I'm saying! This looks so cute in my main sewing room!

Next week.... all I know is I'm doing a pair of dress trousers. I'm sure something else will come to mind to sew....

Y'all have a great weekend and God Bless you!!!

Personal Style Wrap-up!

2010-03-01T14:26:00.005-05:00

So after the ruthless closet cleaning... getting rid of styles I don't wear, don't fit right, are the wrong color, etc (yes it was painful since 90% of the clothes I have I made!!).... and going through shoes, accessories, make-up, purses I don't use (no pain no gain??)... I can put together an outfit I love in about 10 minutes.. head to toe... and do my make up in about 15min.
This is all very amazing to me.... I have a great look book that I will be adding to every month as my favorite fashion mags come out... which will help me continue my ever evolving style happenings and help me plan what to make, which patterns to use, update ways to put together things I've already made so they keep looking fresh!
It has also helped me really see what I need to add to my closet so much easier!
I also went through my patterns... got rid of a ton !!! and got rid of fabric thats in the wrong color choices for me.... (here I come ebay!)
This should help me so much in developing TNT patterns, wardrobe and outfit planning.

Below are some of my fav outfits I've made over the last couple of years.... I've looked through all my blog photos and its really crazy how many things I've made... made well... fit well... but just didn't like! So I keep wearing the same things I do like over and over while my closet was busting at the hinges!!! Insanity!

Below... The first, and so far only corset I've ever made... in a color I don't like to wear up top but the grey (a color I do like) cropped jacket makes it acceptable... Must make more corsets! I love them with jackets and pants/jeans. My favorite mini dress (more yes more of these!) and a flowy jersey dress I made by draping... knitted the belt... love this for a night dancing.. and don't mind the length on it because its done in rounded triangle pieces that move beautifully.

Cowl neck tops... I've made so many.. and I love them all! Luckily I made them in colors I love. Top and longskirt... which looks like a dress in this pic... and this turquoise jersey dress with the free lace caplet.... I will probably turn them both mini... esp... the turquoise dress.. I love it but I would wear it more if it was short. (I will never cut my hair short again or have it dyed blond WWIT!!!!!!!!!!!) (the blond was really Bald Man's fault!)

Love this 3 piece outfit just the way it is (love that my hair is getting long too!).... Love my maxi dress and the other maxi dresses I made last summer.... normally I would want a top more fitted in the waist but this off the shoulder top chiffon is a fav anyways.

And I love ALL the jeans I've made (need more) and the new button up (need many more!)

So I'm calling this project a wrap... I have learned alot about my style, what looks best color wise and better planning. I'm so happy I took the time to do this... I know it will save me tons of money and loads of time in the future.

Meanwhile... I made a blazer that fits!!!! (thank you cup size patterns!) and finished my embroidery coat project..I will post very soon about them.. this week I'm making the Bald Man a new shirt (even if he did encourage me to dye my hair that hideous blond color!)

God Bless you ALL! and have a great day!

Lots of new stuff!!

2010-02-23T12:58:00.008-05:00

I LOVE this bag.... Its another Ellen Medlock pattern. Its called the Karma Bag! My mom and I both took a class at the sewing expo 2 yrs ago and made one... but I didn't like the fabric they gave us so I gave it away.... and after 2 yrs I finally get around to making another one... In fabric I do like!
This is vintage fabric from the attic of my great aunt in Nashville.... Mildred. The inside is lined with some adorable Scottie dog fabric I bought at Jo anns.... left over scraps from a wrap I made my mom for Christmas one year.
The EXTRA awesome thing about this bag is its exchangeable because of the way the hardware is made.... just twist off two of the little tips... slide this purse off another on... twist caps on and you're off with a different bag!
Now I gotta make some different bags to go with this! Which should help my ailing purse wardrobe.... cause I really love this bag!

My B-day was last month (big 36!) and this is what mom gave me....
An adorable and much needed crochet hook wallet.... check out the little scissor button!

Pretty back....

A easy crochet book,,,, garden journal (just around the corner and it'll be time to plant!!!) and a devotional book.

A cute embroidered towel....

A hand knit cotton wash cloth and hand made chai soap (smells SO good!!!)

She also gave me the cutest quilted wall hanging she made!!! But I forgot to take a pic... next time!!! Thanks Mom!!!

I'm so lucky... my husband and my mom give the best presents!!

For The Bald Man's B-day and V-day we went to ATL!!

Here's me below in my white wool coat I made this year!! Complete with welt patch pockets! Its pattern B5259.

Sorry bout the booty shot! haha! But I made these pants and I'm really happy about the fit!! The pattern was drafted from a well fitting RTW pair of pants.

Here's the button up blouse that fits!!!!!!!!! Its S2732! One of those patterns that has Cup size options!! I'm completely in love with having a button up that fits and I didn't have to do any adjusting to it except add a half inch on the upper side seam. No FBA!! I am so buying all cute patterns that have cup size options.... makes life simpler... who doesn't need that!

Another night in ATL at VIA, the Restaurant/club ... oh so hip place to be... haha we had a blast! Bald Mans nephew runs this place so we always go here when we're in town.

In the works..... the style project continues a bit more..... I'm making a Blazer using one of the fabulous cup option patterns I have (hoping it works as well at the blouse pattern did!!!) and crocheting a halter top for summer...

and still working on the Navy coat embellishments!

Personal Style Research cont...

2010-02-19T14:27:00.002-05:00

Ok.... so I've got the my body shape(hourglass), know my color palette (soft summer) , picked my 3 words describing my "style"(romantic, casual, sexy)
I know what I like and what looks good on me.
The next exercise I've been working on is the "who are you" and the practicalities of fitting favorite looks into the wardrobe.

Lets see, I don't work outside the home.... the biggest part of my days are spent, working out, sewing, cooking(maybe I should make more aprons!), being a taxi service for my son and going to the store for groceries/house hold supplies.
This requires jeans and cute fitted t-shirts, workout clothes and yoga pants.... all of which I love!
I love making jeans and need to make some more...
I made alot of yoga/workout pants last summer and they have all but fell apart! Where the heck do people buy good cotton spandex!!
I occasionally make t's and tanks.... then decorate with stamps, embroidery...etc. But most of the time I buy t's and tanks when the go on sale and then embellish them.... sewing t's is kinda boring... esp, since I've made alot over the years... and its soooo much cheaper to buy them when they go on sale and maybe just take them up in the waist for better fit then do the fun stuff!
workout clothes.... again... I wait for sales... I think they're kinda boring to make plus I can't find good cotton spandex that can hold up and look good for long.... also I prefer the fabric that keeps you dry even though you sweat... and I have no ideal where to but that stuff.
If I'm going to a store or taking my son somewhere I typically go in jeans, t-shirt and throw on a bolero or some kind of jacket over it.... and hoop earrings!

We go out once or twice a week and I like to get dressed up.... this is where maxi and mini dresses, corsets, dress pants and pretty button ups come into the picture... and sexy knit tops and t's!!..... My wardrobe is in need of a couple more corsets and mini dresses. And alot of blouses, which can also be worn to church.
I like wearing wrap dresses, long skirts and knit tops to church.

My hobbies outside of the house are walking and working with my dogs... which just requires the t shirt jean wardrobe of my everyday.
We do go away for weekends and vacations I dress up more in my "going out" clothes when we do.

So going through my closet and ruthlessly throwing things out I realize alot of stuff is really in colors I don't like wearing and styles I apparently don't like wearing... cause alot of stuff I've made, wore once and never looked at again! But now I can 'Identify' the issue with each piece!!!
yep... I'm really getting somewhere here...
I am guilty of certain things...
I buy fabric on sale not thinking about the color enough
I make things that have no real place in my lifestyle

Before I met The Bald Man I had a closet full of color that looked good with my dark tan and brown/golden hair. I never wore black! Then The Bald Man enters the pic and he buys me black clothes, picks out black fabrics... and I have a closet full of black clothes that I don't like wearing.
There I said it... I don't like wearing black for tops! Sorry Bald Man.
According to my color research I am to avoid black for a top because it makes me look like death... I knew it! I told the Bald Man this was all his fault. Out goes some beautiful black clothes..... that I hated wearing. Ofcourse black for pants is a must!!!! Light colored pants are not my friend...

Out went alot of stuff.....
I even went through my shoes....
I only wear clogs, wedges, platforms, boots and sneakers... so why do I have so many stilettos????

My purse closet.... oh yeah... needs alot of work.... bye to lots of things there.

Accessories are next.... thats gonna be a hot mess to go through....

Make up..... I did have my make up re done when I let go of the tanning bed and my old hair color... but I was hanging on to alot of Mac eye colors and blushes I no longer look good in.
I found this site http://trepanrr.tripod.com/color_analysis_test.htm#your_personal_makeup_palette
which pushed me to clean out my make up drawers. Much better!

So.... Now I only have clothes I actually like to wear in my closet... and I've got room to make clothes I really need and will wear!

Needs:
More jeans, some black trousers, blouses, a couple of mini dresses, a corset or two ( I love corsets with jackets!!) In real need of some blazers/jackets in colors I like!
I would also like to add a pair of nude wedges and animal print platforms... and some thigh high boots (crazy I know but I love'em) I get a little crazy with shoes sometimes ;)

Personal Style Research

2010-02-12T11:18:00.010-05:00

For about 2 years now I've noticed something wrong with my wardrobe... alot of the colors I used to love to wear don't look as good on me anymore... My skin is alot more pale (no more tanning bed for me!) my hair used to be brown with lots of gold highlights... then it was blond (that thew me off) and now its all brown.. so its only natural my clothing colors would change to.
I mean... all my make up colors have changed...

Also some of the styles I've been making don't seem... quite right when I wear them... they fit and all...but
I don't know what happened.... When I used to buy clothes I think it was easier to have clothes in the right color and right style... cause I tried them on!! I could see if the color made me look vibrant or dull... I could see if the style made me look "right"... could see if it suited my body, my height. Now I think I've got in a habit of looking at pics on patterns or magazines and thinking.. I love that so I'm going to make it and wear it! Same with fabric... I love the color or relate the color to how I used to look in it...so I just buy it... make it up... then I'm less than wowed!

So when I saw what Becky was doing over on her blog , Sew and So, with her Personal style project I knew I needed to look into it also.
Using the articles and guides from Retochic.co.uk/ , thechicfashionista.com and prettyyourworld.com
....I begin the journey.... (lol)

First I started with the LookBook... going through websites and saving pics of clothes I love and fashion magazines... then I put the pictures in categories and really looked at each pic... sometimes (like retrochic suggests) you like the picture and not really the outfit for yourself (guilty!) anyways... narrowed the pics down to clothes I actually want... and would like to wear myself.... then narrowed it down a bit more because I had to think about what would look "good" on my body shape (which has changed over the years also due to plastic surgeries, I used the be a rectangle )... Now I've determined my figure to be hourglass (the chic fashionista guide) because my hips and chest are almost the same size (chest is about an inch bigger than hips) and my waist is 11 inches less than my chest, and pretty defined if I wear the right clothes and I gain weight all over when I gain, lose all over when I lose weight. Then I have to consider I'm kinda short at 5'5. Not petite but still.... not trying to look short either!
After all that narrowing down... I have a bunch of pictures of clothes I would wear and I believe would look good on my figure type. I taped them to paper... added notes about what I liked best about each piece... then I made notes on the generalizations of each category of clothing...

Tops: I like form fitting knit tops with small details at the neck, scoop or v-neck. Love corset type tops. Tees and tanks with details of screen printing, small crystals, painting, stamps,etc. Cowl necklines, little gathering details. Wrap tops. Binding detail

Blouses: I love,love heirloom details on blouses like touches of lace, pin tucks, very tiny ruffles, etc. Light weight fabrics. I like them to be very fitted in the bust and waist. The sleeves can be loose. Mandarin collars., bias binding

Jeans: Boot cut or flare leg. Not high waisted, not to low waisted.... Love patch pockets on the front and don't care for traditional front pockets at all. I like them embellished with embroideries, crystals, etc. Dark washes.

Trousers: Tight in the hips and booty.... flare at the knees...

Shorts: Only dress shorts with cuffs (to be worn with wedges)

Skirts: Love fitted mini's or long and flowy

Dresses: My favorite dresses that I wear over and over are fitted knit mini dresses and maxi dresses. Wrap dresses.

Jackets: Cropped, boleros, shrugs. Sometimes a fitted jacket with jeans is nice. I only like Long jacket/blazers with shorts or short fitted skirts.

Details I like on anything: Top stitching, exposed zippers,

So I think the 3 words I would use to describe my "style personality" is Romantic, sexy, casual.

Another part of this exercise was to look over teenage pics of yourself... lol!!!! I changed from one extreme to another growing up.... from redneck ripped jeans and concert tees in my early teens to floral dresses and lace blouses in my late teens.... in my 20's I was all about fitted tops and blouses (with heirloom details or course) Y necklaces, classic button ups, layered looks, hoop earrings, trendy stuff.... Early 30's, embellished designer jeans with fitted blazers, trendy knits tops, club wear ... I was very social!! :)

And here I am now....

For my colors which have changed ALOT over the last 4 yrs..... I used prettyyourworld.com and thechicfashionista.com

The colors recommended for my current hair color, skin tone and eye color are mostly colors I didn't know I could wear and look good! Colors I just never thought of but I'm loving!!

We went to Atlanta last weekend and I bought fabrics in these colors... after draping them around me first... wow! What a difference!! My husband even said something about how good those colors were going to look on me.... so I'm excited!!!

With patterns picked out in styles I know I'll wear and with details I know I'll love... in colors I know I will look my best in.... its all becoming clear!!! lol!!!

now just a few more parts to this research on the retrochic guide.....

Whew,,,, not as easy as trying on clothes but I think it'll be better in the long run.

And while I'm researching I have a couple of purses I want to make (I hate my "purse wardrobe" it needs alot of work) and I promised my husband some shirts for the fabric shopping in ATL! I bought some super nice stuff!!!

Pretty Tunic and Panama Purse

2010-02-12T11:03:00.011-05:00

Here is the tunic I made a couple of weeks ago....
I took an extra couple of inches off the sides to give a better fit since I don't like super loose tunics. Believe it or not this is not embroidery.... its a decorative stitch on my Pfaff machine!!! One of the "maxi stitches"!! Love it!!

On the cuff too....

This is an Ellen Medlock pattern... I love a messenger bag for everyday use. Its perfect for everything I carry, plenty of room for extra pockets and big enough for a book (in case I'm waiting on my son to get done with one of his lessons)

I used a faux leather type fabric, appliqued on a Mola' I bought in Panama....

And lined it in a fabric covered in hearts!!! lol!!! Hey.. it was close to Valentines day when I was making it!

On the embroidery machine I'm working on a wool navy coat I bought at a thrift store... I've had it for awhile but couldn't figure out exactly how to re make it.

Then I saw this in a Jenny Haskins magazine and knew... thats the direction I'm going with the coat!

Picked out my designs... and the lining in the coat..... here's what I have done so far....

I can't wait to get it done.... I'm in need of another warm coat since this year has been so cold!

No other sewing lately.... I've been working on organizing the house... mainly the kitchen, laundry room and my 3 sewing rooms!

Then I plan to re decorate my bed room and kitchen... oh and organize the office (yuk!)

I do hope to squeeze in some sewing in between.

And still working on my style and coloring project... its really so fun!!! I'm making more progress!! More on that later.

Sashiko Machine update and Crochet happenings

2010-02-03T17:12:00.004-05:00

So I've been sewing up a storm here! Made 2 shirts last week... one was a button up and it fits!!!! I've not had a button up shirt that fit me since I got implants back in 04!! haha!! and I've been afraid to try and make one... I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get it to fit... but no more!!! There will be many more button ups in my future wardrobe plans!.... more on that when I get a pic of it though... and I'm making a dress this week... also...
For now... check out my darling bolero jacket I made last week too,,, pinstripe navy woven fabric that was sent to me by my mothers friend Gloria... and I sashikoed this cool design with the new Babylock,, and top stitched with it.
Looks sooo pretty.. just loving that sashiko stitch... I didn't take a good pic of the dress I made it with or a pic of the inside of the jacket... its reversible!!! I love reversible clothes... I used a beautiful brocade my mom gave me for the other side (the brocade actually came from China as a gift from my brothers then inlaws.) I will post a pic of the other side and the dress soon.

Crochet.... working on a long sleeve shrug with this beautiful sparkly yarn!

Working on Granny squares for the CAL I joined on Ravelry.com

AND... a couple of weeks ago I finished another sweater... just in time for that terrible weather we had last week! Its super warm!!

Well,,, thats what I've been up too....

Lots of Stuff!!!! Finished!

2010-01-22T13:49:00.010-05:00

Super long post.... ready??? lol!!

Self drafted bolero and Burda top 7742... simple top... made with a purple knit with metallic pinstripes (walmart)...
Which would have been fine but...

I decided the front pin stripes would look cool if I cover stitched them with some thick metallic decorative threads... it worked nicely and added something special to the top. I also chain stitched on the jacket, then sergered the edge with a metallic thread also.
To achieve these looks all you have to do is put your decorative thread in the looper on your cover stitch. On the serger it goes in the upper looper.... Sheila over at sheilazcrochetz asked me about doing a tutorial on the technique but honestly ... if I do I'm afraid I would confuse everyone lol!!! Including myself!!

So here's my source for cool serger and cover stitch stuff.... "Serger secrets" the book... easily found on ebay or half.com . I have used many decorative techniques from the this book. The projects in it are dated but the info is awesome!

Simple and quick techniques really add alot to this top and bolero.

Here is what is on the back of the jacket... a simple dragon done with the embroidery machine (sorry the pic is blurry) I bought this design from Emblibrary.com love that source!

Onto Simplicity 3690 vest and shirt .... I have made this before but the shirt was ruined in the washer.... should have hand washed....

anyways. I love this top... made from crepe back satin my mom gave me. The vest and skirt fabric was sent to me by one of moms friends.... so I kinda got an almost free outfit!! haha!!

I should have made the Bald Man get a close up of the front side panel of the vest... its the fabric I embellished by doing 3 different decorative stitches over and over!! I decided to do the whole vest would be to 'busy' but love it on the side panels!

Instead of buttons I used my decorative stitches again! making eyelets and lacing a ribbon through them... kinda a corset effect... without the cleavage!!

Made the necklace and the earrings too... (can't see the earrings good...they're hoops)

And the embroidered boots!!! Got the ideal for these from last months Creative Machine Embroidery magazine. I wasn't sure how these would turn out since they were slouch boots but I like'em! You can't see in the pic but I also but Little black crystals in the paisley designs.

The Bald Mans new shirt! Made using an Islander sewing pattern (love those patterns!)

Nice green with black pinstripe fabric

Here is the back.... embroidery design and you can see the Babylock Sashiko machines top stitching here across the yoke

Again you can see the Sashiko machines work... so cool... looks like I hand stitched it....

and the embroidery design on the pocket

Here is a sampler I've been working on with the Sashiko machine... I'm learning this machine is pretty 'finicky' about what thread it likes and what fabric it likes.... theres defiantly a learning curve here!

Couple of little pics from last Saturday I worked at the Cairo Cafe (Mirage)

I'm in my new gold and black costume here.....

My new "fire" costume here.... it was very busy!

I need some better pics of my new costumes...

Right now I'm working on a dress and bolero... I'm wanting to use the Sashiko machine on the top bodice and make the bolero reversible.... we'll see what happens!!!!

Bald Mans Favorite Present... and tons of Crocheting

2010-01-14T13:44:00.008-05:00

Ok... finally some pics uploaded!! So get ready... loooong post! LOL!!
Here is the jacket I made my husband for Christmas... its his favorite thing! Let me tell you a bit about it...... you see The Bald Man has lots of old t-shirts..... faded, torn, stained and he refused to throw them out!! Well,,,, I may crochet my man hobo gloves but I don't want him to dress like a hobo!!! So I promised him if he would give me his old t-shirts I would see that they lived on... maybe make a t-shirt quilt or something.... thats how I got the t's away from him.

Planning to make his "big" present this year... I really wanted to make him a trench coat... but there were no patterns big enough for my man... so I thought I'll make him another jean jacket... he loves the one from last year... only this year instead of disstressing it and using lite blue denim I'll keep it neat and use dark denim.
I used Kwik Sew's mens jean jacket pattern... the 2X is a perfect fit for him.
After cutting out all the pieces I started looking for embroidery for it.... the theme... Lacrosse... and then remembered I had all those old Navy Lacrosse t-shirts from back when he coached at a camp!!!!
I cut out the parts of the shirts I wanted to use.... stuck Steam a seam 2 to them, fused them on the jacket with the iron and used the same heavy top stitching thread to zig zag around them.

Added a few embroidery touches..... lacrosse sticks... "Coach Rico"!!

I used 2 t's he had given me and 4 different embroidery designs.

I had planned to make him sooooo much more... but this thing took 3 weeks!!!!

It was worth it and he adores it!! I'll never forget how happy he was and ALL the pics he took of it and sent to his lacrosse buddies!

Now..... My crochet projects..... I have been wearing out my crochet hooks! lol! This is the main reason I think I haven't been blogging as much... cause when I'm not cooking, sewing, cleaning... and I sit on the couch... instead of picking up my computer I usually pick up the hook and yarn!

Below.... I don't remember if I posted this project or not.....My crochet coat I made back in Oct. using chenille yarn and q hook, pattern from Big Hook Crochet.

I love the way it turned out... love the hood!!!

The buttons are vintage from one of my Great Grand Mothers ,,, Aren't they so pretty!

This yarn was all in a kit that my mother bought on sale for $10!!!!!! Valued well over $100! The kit was supposed to make a knit vest..... I made this beautiful shawls using a pattern from an old vintage 70's crochet book I won from ebay.

It really was easy to make and crocheted up fast!

My 'hobo' gloves! Made the gloves and a matching scarf one evening last month.

Currently I'm crocheting another sweater....also been crocheting doilies and place mats for the dinning room table.

And my son got his truck!!!! He's still 15 so I don't have to panic yet!

He bought it himself. And already palling ALL he wants to do to it!!!

Its just soooo weird that my son has a truck!!!! and he'll be driving..... by himself soon!!

Scary thought!

I'll be praying!!!!

In the sewing room I'm still working on the vest with the fabric below! Can't wait to finish it!

Old fabric , new look!

2010-01-14T08:43:00.000-05:00

I still have tons of pics to post of finished projects! But here is what I'm working at the moment.... Taking this plain cotton denim and putting 3 of my decorative stitches to work making it more unique. It will be a short cropped vest when it is all done! I made a off white satin shirt Tuesday to go under it and I'm thinking maybe some kind of short skirt out of the same denim... Don't think I have enough for pants. Last week I made the Bald man a button up shirt using my sashiko machine for top stitching (beautiful) and ofcourse some embroidery to dress it up... And I made me a shirt putting my coverstitch machine to work with decorative threads for embellishment. Just trying to put my machine to better use.... They are capable of so much!

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

The Bald Mans Hobo gloves

2010-01-10T17:20:00.000-05:00

After seeing my crochet and knit hobo gloves Rico asked if I would make him a pair... He's out in the cold on his car lot quite a bit... I couldn't find a pattern so I made one up... Super easy... Made them in like an hous and half! And he loves 'em!

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

I can't believe its 2010.... goals, goals

2010-01-08T16:43:00.005-05:00

Another year..... 2010... I can't believe it! Above is a short video of where the Bald Man and I spent New Years Eve... Blind Willie's.... it was a great show!

A year in review! GOALS....

Now this year I didn't do as well on my goal list as 2008.... my goals changed from the first of the year... here's how it goes

Goal #1. Make an LBD..... I did... Long Black Dress. My LBD It just so happened when I got in the mood to make a LBD creativity was calling me to do something with my pfaff Grand Floral cd.... and I did ;)

Goal #2 Make Chanel Jacket..... nope.... this goal was put aside when I saw this My Chanel Knock off outfit I HAD to make it.

Goal #3 Make a travel wardrobe..... yes and no,,, I didn't make the travel wardrobe I had in mind when I wrote this goal.. I made 3 mini wardrobes this year... but the travel wardrobe turned into what I call the "weekend getaway wardrobe" I knew we wouldn't get to take a long vacation when Bald man started his new business... so a weekend getaway wardrobe made more sense.

Goal #4 Make something for Bald Man once a month.... nope... Sorry Honey! I think I made up for it with his Christmas present I made him though... Pics of that coming very soon....

Goal #5 Learn to paint silk.... instead of buying supplies for this I bought jewelry making supplies.. my wardrobe was in major need of updating there!! I made alot of pieces I'm very happy with! Even knocked off a Betsey Johnson piece I had my eye on.... I know I didn't post pics sorry...

Goal #6 Learn to crochet... boy did I ever! I'm addicted... got 2 projects going right now! Made countless crochet towels, doilies... make sweaters, shawls, boleros... even a purse and a coat.. I know again didn't post all my pics.....

Goal #7 Make stuff for Charity.... nope I didn't :( but I gave money!! I even started back bellydancing some so I could give extra.

Goal #8 Make 1 BWOF project each month.... nope and I didn't renew my subscription... which ended in April. I realized when faced with the challenge of having to sew from it enough to make it worth that expensive subscription price that I LOVE to look at BWOF... more than I like to sew from it... now I browse through it at BAM...

Goal #9 Make bound button holes... hahaha... left over from 08 goals! Still no!

Goal #10 Study Bible more... yes I did.

I'm not sure I'm really going to have goals this year... except I want to learn to use my machines better... I have all these great machines that can do so much more than put something together. And ofcourse I'll always have the goal of getting to know Jesus better.... thats just an everyday thing !

I have the best husband ever!

2009-12-29T14:13:00.000-05:00

I was shocked to open this Christmas morning.... I mean... I wanted it... But was in no way expecting my husband to go buy it! The Babylock Sashiko machine!!!! Its expensive and I don't need it. But oh how I wanted it!! I had told the Bald Man I would wait till spring and maybe the price would come down during sewing expo time.. When they have lots of specials going... The Bald Man called my buddies at Sewing Machines etc. And they did give him a banging deal! I love those guys... And I really love my sweet husband... Always encouraging my sewing projects and skills.... Now back to playing with my new toy! Its so awesome!!

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

Merry Christmas!!!

2009-12-24T12:41:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone!
Praise God for Jesus Christ our Savior!!! The reason for the season!

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

Must make Another Costume

2009-12-15T15:58:00.000-05:00

I'm so sorry to all those who check my blog...I have not had time for much internet time. I have been sewing and crocheting my little fingers to the bone! Not to mention ALL the baking I've been doing... I have a trip to post about, a major crochet project finished and many other small ones. Of course this time of year I can't post alot of the stuff I've made because there are presents.. So they have to be after Christmas posts! AND I started bellydancing at the Cairo cafe again one or two nights a month... On top of being booked to bellydance at holiday parties... Whew! Well here is a much needed costume... That I plan to have complete in a couple of days.. I really need it for a party this weekend!.. The fabric is amazingly glittery and needs no crystals or sequins... Just something for movement.... Back to work. I hope all of you out there are farther along with your Christmas stuff than me!

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

MOT goal complete!

2009-11-24T15:05:00.003-05:00

I have finished all 6 of the tops I wanted to complete for Faye's Month of Tops sew along!!!!! Go to the blog to see my tops.....Month Of Tops Blog

I have/am making 3 skirts to go with my MOT sew along challege to! I got like a whole little wardrobe outta this!!!

Yarn just for me!

2009-11-22T09:26:00.001-05:00

Look how pretty! My mom hand spun this yarn for me! A wool\silk blend... Perfect color match for a lacey shawl or bolero to go with my long black dress! [the dress with the large flower appliques!] Thanks mom!

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

ALL kinds of Projects!!!

2009-11-17T13:59:00.009-05:00

I have been on the ball lately in the sewing room and working my crochet hook....
First to see the first 2 tops I made for the Month of Tops sew along click here: My TOPS

Now.... I took this pic last week. I actually fished it TODAY! I have never quilted before... not really.... which is kinda wrong since my mom is a quilter! But I've always been more into clothing and I would have never made this if it wasn't our project/class for Pfaff club at sewing Machine etc. here in Knoxville. You know what... I loved making it! It was fun! Relaxing, even!!
Here's a closer look at my sad quilting! But its good for a 1st timer!! I think..... lol!! We embellished the pumpkins using decorative stitches, couching, buttons, rhinestones... whatever! Lots of fun! I can't wait till our next class!
Purses... I was in much need of purses this year. As you know if you've been reading my blog for long I'm not a fan of making purses... but the purses I want to buy cost stupid money. So yeah, I make my purses!
The purse below is the L2 Bag by sewing workshop. Made from upholstery fabric I bought... somewhere ;-) embellished with beads and chains from jo anns.
I wanted a purse big enough for my laptop, a crochet project and all my other purse essentials.. this purse fit the bill.... perfect for traveling! plus I think its cute. Its full of all different sizes of pockets!!

This purse is Circle Bag from Square Rose. I was looking for this shape of bag after seeing a few Chanel bags from the Couture winter collection. Karl's bags were a bit bigger and made of faux fur (which I would like to do before winter is over!) they had a draw string appearance on the runway but without seeing up close and personal I have no clue if they were! But this pattern fit the shape I was looking for. Good pattern too!!

CROCHET! How I LOVE my crochet! Some nights I crochet until my hand hurts (which is a really really long time! ) and I still can't stop (Bald Man says theres something wrong with me...)

I finished this a couple of months ago... it was meant to be worn this summer.... on cool nights on a patio somewhere... It didn't quite make it. But next spring/summer.. it'll be ready!

This pattern is from the March 09 Interweave magazine but I changed it alot!

Now this is part of my fall/winter wardrobe! AND I made up this pattern!!! and I have no ideal what I did..... because I didn't write anything down..... but still I'm extremely happy with this! And though I hate cold weather I am looking forward to it being cold enough to wear this!!! Its really cute with a tank top or turtle neck

I've also finished 3 more tops for Month of Tops! Countless crocheted dish clothes and doilies!

I'm currently crocheting a scallop shawl from a vintage crochet book I won off ebay and hairpin lace (which I have no clue what its going to be but I love making it!)

In the sewing room I am still pondering the costume.... working on yet another top... which will have some embroidery on it, just not sure what embroidery yet! AND my Thanks Giving weekend outfit.... ok now... back to work!

You all have a BLESSED week!!!!

Knocking it off dress

2009-11-09T17:21:00.006-05:00

I feel in love with this Chanel look last spring.... so instead of making a Chanel jacket I decided to put that time toward knocking this off the best I could....

I am pleased with my results! Fabric from Miami's Rex Fabrics for the top..... and ofcourse fabric for the jacket and skirt... I found a close to perfect match at walmart! Of all places! Add so hip chain belts and here is my knock off! I made the skirt longer than the original.... and no collar on the little jacket... lower neckline on the top... and a bit longer on it too.... I have several other Chanel outfits I want to knock off too... soon as I can find similar fabrics for them! I had fun with this outfit and fun wearing it! Next V8489.... I bought this fabric on a trip to Panama City, Panama. This was an easy pattern and I will use it again in the future.

I added a personal touch to the dress but it didn't photograph at all... asymmetrical from shoulder across the waist and to bottom I hand beaded swarvoski crystal beads and black shell disk beads... nope can't see them at all... it took along time. It looks much better in person. I saw a dress with similar fabric and the hand beading ideal in an old Australian stitches magazine.

I'm working on lots of projects lately... tops, a quilted walk hanging, the belly dance costume...

Just finished a crocheted jacket!!!! and 2 tops!!!

Faye's month of tops sew-a-long

2009-11-04T13:52:00.001-05:00

V8534 Making View C.. in lace and black knit. Never made this one before but it looks super simple.

S3634 Making the long sleeve view here...multi color stretch knit and I want to make it in a plain purple knit too. I've made this top countless times! I love it! Def one of my TNT patterns.

M5709 I loved making this top! I think it will be a nice dressy 'out to dinner top' in this dark pink and black knit with sparkles!

Faye over at Faye's sewing adventures (her site is listed on my blog roll) has a month of tops sew along going on! Inspired by her speed sewing of tops last November! I'm know I will not be able to make as many as she did but its sure put my butt in gear to sew up some much needed tops for the colder months to come. So far here are 3 of my future tops... Being cut out right now!! I love simple comfy knits tops for winter... Plus this should make a dent in my stash! (which is important because we're going to Atlanta for Thanksgiving and New Years... you know what that means.. Gail K's!!!)

I have 6 tops in all picked out to make this month plus 3 long simple full skirts to go with them... I'm in much need of long skirts also! More on that later! All of them are simple, most I've made before... so hopefully I can get it done.. atlest the tops!

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

Catching up! V8353

2009-11-02T09:45:00.008-05:00

As you all can see I've been messing around with my blog templete and such..... and lost my blog roll!!!! amoung other things!!! I'll get all put back together though... I think this templete is cute though... love purple!
I made and took pics of this dress about 2 months ago! I'm so far behind on blogging its ridiculous!!! But here is V8353. A simple yet time consuming dress... time consuming because all around the waist are pleats! And I mean ALL around! Made from a beautiful stretch woven, black with lilac polka dots (wal mart $3 yd!!!! and this is nice stuff!!!)... and the lining/contrast fabric is a lilac linen (from moms stash! Free!!! whoohoo!)
It completely opens in the front with buttons. I love full dress skirt like this.

To go with it... I made a necklace and a bracelet....using strips or a floral chiffon (wal mart) velvet and organza ribbon.... topped off with swarovski AB crystals and a cross charm on the necklace.

One of my 'goals' this year was to learn to paint on silk.... it was replaced with learn to make cool (trendy even!) jewelry! My jewelry wardrobe was getting kinda sad and old... I'm a lover of costume/trendy stuff... but the jewelry I was wanting was as expensive as if it had 'real' stones and precious metals.... so I've learned to make my own (yes knock off my own!!!lol!!!) jewelry.

Tip: If you've not been...Micheals Craft store makes it soooooo easy to make on trend jewelry check out their new beads section... Its amazing!!!

Halloween pics coming soon...

Pictures for Caryn

2009-10-30T11:18:00.000-04:00

My lovely friend Caryn is in Turkey for part of her vacation (lets take a moment to hate on her a bit) haha just kidding! Anyways she is a costume obsessed diva and asked to see a picture of my latest ... Which is no where near done! I still have to do the bead work around the stones, add all the fringe and a few more things.... Love this tri colored fringe! And you can't tell in the pics but the swarovskis on this on this are truly bright and sparkle like the sun! Just sooooo much more work to be done!

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

Trying this mobile thing

2009-10-23T18:47:00.001-04:00

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

Is this thing on?

YES!!!! It worked! I can mobile blog!! I feel pretty "trendy" right now!!! lol!! Anyways! This is a doily I'm working on... isn't it cute? I love doilies....

Finished Crochet Projects!!!

2009-10-23T18:09:00.004-04:00

Long time no blog!!!! I know! I've been working on projects like a crazy person though! Just not been taking the time to photograph them like a good blogger should! I have completed 5 pieces of my 11 piece fall/winter wardrobe, completed a couple of dresses with jewelry, finished my Chanel knockoff (coming soon to this blog!) and finished some crochet projects...

I don't know what this shawl was called,,, its made from a mohair yarn (that was extra thin and very challenging to me!) I have been working on this since March.... now complete! I love it! That lacey effect of crochet just does it for me... I think its so beautiful!

Here is one of the summer crochet tops I finished. Its from a Crochet interweave magazine... made completely in the round.... yeah... summer tops completed in fall!! haha!!

And I have learned to crochet doilies!!!! I'm so excited about them!!! and will defiantly picture them soon... also I have been crocheting up a storm making these round dish clothes.. using a cotton yarn and many different colors. I think they are so fun to crochet and it only takes me about 45 min to do one... they'll make great Christmas presents too!

Okay... that was a quick update. I'm trying to get my new phone to mobile blog! I know that would help my blogging mojo! lol!!

Weekend in ATL

2009-09-29T16:35:00.011-04:00

A couple of weekends ago we took a little much needed get away to ATL for a night out and a Falcons game.

I am so mad that I was holding my purse in front of the applique on my LBD (long black dress)!!! I finally get to wear it out for a night on the town! We had to much fun... this is the night before the game on Sunday. You'll remember in previous posts this applique took 4ever!!! for me to finish!

I felt very "pretty" in this dress. I didn't carry the super tiny matching purse but wish I did now... it wouldn't have been in the way! I LOVE going to NFL games!! (not into college fb though!) Normally I'm a Titans fan... but learning to love the Falcons since I already love ATL.... and I love the GA Dome! What a great place to see a game and not worry about ALL the rain we get!

Enter the FALCONS!!!!!!! The crowd was pretty fun (not like NHL games in ATL)... Titans fans are a bit more "lively" though!! lol!

It was SO MUCH FUN to be there ... I did get a kick out of the crowd booing the GA Tech band..... AND the guy that sat beside me booed the weather man! He also spilled beer, waved his Falcons flag and hit people in front of him... AND kept doing the 'dirty bird'!!! What a dork!! He was funny, but would have been more funny if he had been about 3 rows up from me and not right BY me!!

The View from our seats was awesome (thanks ebay!!!) and they were club level!!!!!

We stayed at the Omni hotel right by the dome!! We actually walked to the game it was so close... Here's the view from our room... ATL is pretty at night...

The Omni is attached to the CNN center... a pic from the glass elevator....

Another great reason to stay at the Omni... we wanted to bring our dogs! Hey, they needed a holiday too!!!

my babies had alot of fun walking all over the city. Pacster is such a city dog! He loves traveling!

Ok.... whens the next game???? lol!

New top & lots of projects!

2009-09-11T17:28:00.008-04:00

**THANK YOU FOR THE SWEET COMMENTS ON MY PREVIOUS POST!!!!!**

Please forgive the blurriness of the photo below... My Bald Man is still having issues with the new camera...
This is Burda 7644 ... another great top!!!! I made view c with the extra straps.... nice touch and again very easy... whipped this up in no time at'all! Fabric: the main navy is a jersey from walmart and the contrast fabric is from Panama.

FINALLY! I'm getting around to this top! Which is the fabric for my mini fall wardrobe!!

I'll be making the view on the left and will be using 3 or 4 different laces that I am making on my embroidery machine with Pfaffs Endless Vintage Lace... its LOVELY! The ideal for the top came from Spring issue of Sew Stylish (I love that Mag!!!)

More INSPIRATION!

I am in the process of making a outfit like this Chanel look. I have the skirt and the jacket made... my fabric looks SO much like the original (go walmart! lol!!!!)

Speaking of inspiration....

Darling Dixie..... whos growing SO fast... yet not fast enough! I'm ready for her to be grown and calm down!! But really, she's SO smart... I may have already blogged this but I'm going to brag a bit more about my baby who's already create trained, house trained, sits, stays, down, even shakes hands and gives high five! lol!!! 4 months old now...leash training,, she does walk very well on it... for me and only if NO One else is around!! Her ears are standing beautifully...

My doberman tank.... inspired by Dixie! (Bald Man got the camera right this time!!)

Once again... walmart fabric... a nice ribbed knit. I dis stressed the front a bit. Stenciled a dobe outline.... stamped purple roses (my favorite rose color) and added some tiny crystals.... oh and stenciled 'I Bite' lol!!

I'm having fun, alot of fun with what I make lately!

AND, I finished another Panama fabric dress and I can't wait to wear it... "Bald Man take me to Dinner!!!"

What I've made is what I'm wearing...

2009-09-07T18:49:00.006-04:00

I always read about ladies who make all these clothes then don't wear them... thats sad! I think I get alot of wear out of things I make... really everyday I have on something I've made... alot of days everything I have on I made.. including jewelry and handbag!

*Please excuse some of my pics are blurry... we have a new camera and Bald Man isn't used to how fast it snaps a pic and I don't notice its blurred until I load it! *

Here I am, Sunday,...On my way to church in a new dress!.... this is NL6774 I'm in love with this maxi dress. Its SO comfortable! This pattern was super easy to make... seems like alot of stuff I've been making has been easy... I need to step it up a bit. Summer sewing is always easier to me. I do need to get ready to start my fall wardrobe though...
Anyways! The top is a lite weight knit I got from Miami... the bottom is a colorful heavy stretch lace I got from the ATL sewing expo last year. Its lined with a stretch knit nude fabric I bought at jo anns.
Wed.....On my way to see our favorite local musician here in Knoxville (besides my son ofcourse!) J. Luke! He's just awesome... you know I can't remember if I ever posted this "throw back" shirt I made last fall. Its made from a very vintage pattern that was originally a catsuit. The fabric is a vintage piece my mom picked up at a yard sale... fabulous! Its just so fun to wear!

Below.... Going out to our favorite dance spot in Knoxville, Purada, on Saturday night.

This is V1027 I got the fabric in Miami at Rex's. This was also super easy to make... and honestly.... I think I look like a cow in this dress but the Bald Man thought I looked super hot... who am I to disagree with my husband???? lol! and he's usually brutally honest about things like that. It does move beautifully when we dance though.

And everyday in between I wore my yoga wardrobe... jeans I made, t-shirts I altered.... yeah... I get alot of wear outta what I sew....

This makes a good case to show Bald Man because I think we need to take a trip and buy some new fabric....

Happy Days are....

2009-08-22T14:25:00.014-04:00

Happy days are.... wearing a new flowy summer top... Here is my B5357!! Very easy to make and I love it! I need to make more of these before summer is over...And happiness is an evening summer dress. Here is V8489 made from more of my Panama fabric. Easy to make. BUT, its no where near done... the embellishments of swavorski jet black 20ss crystals, vintage black buttons and more will be added at an asymmetrical angel following the pattern of the print.

Happy days are not complete without my dog friends!

Look at my sweetheart Dixie... Here she is last week after her ears were done. I was shocked that she came home all hyper and excited! I thought she would be tired and sleepy from the surgery... but not Dixie! Hyper as ever and ready for a walk!

I won't be able to hold her like a baby for long...

Below is a pic of her on Wed. when they took them down.. with Pacster.

They went back up today though....

Happy days are gathering ALL these veggies from my little back yard garden!

Even The Bald Man's little corn patch is starting to give us corn! They're small... but So good!

I'm feeling very thankful.... God has blessed us so much!

Next time.... the maxi dress I made today!!! and a mini wardrobe I'm thinking about!

Y'all have a great weekend!

New Look New Top.... on the list

2009-08-11T17:02:00.005-04:00

I made this yesterday morning. Its NL6179 very easy to make! I whipped this up in about an hour. The view for this sleeve length shows an elastic edge which I left off.... puffy sleeves do nothing for a 35 year old with chubby arms!
I added some white lace to the slit. The fabric is a wonderful lite weight stretch woven, with a distressed look... little rips all over! I bought it at Gail K's last year. It has a draw string around the neck line. I used some yarn and added some beads to the ends.

Up and coming projects....

This pattern, B5357, is similar to the NL pattern above, but it is a more sexy 'off the shoulder' look! I making the view with the panel in the center front.... I know in this pic it looks like these fabrics don't match but they do! I promise!

And actually this top is almost done!

Another dress from Panama fabric!! with V8489.... all cut out and ready to sew! I will be adding some twists to this...

And my fall purse.... The Ruffled tote by Hotpatterns... I got this pattern when it was free on their web site to download! The main fabric will be the black corduroy and the lining the blue corduroy.

I really hate making purses... but I want the purses!!!!

One last look at Dixie with her puppy ears.... tomorrow is the day, of the beginning, of the really hard part of raising a doberman puppy.... the ear crop!!!!!!!!!!

She is almost house trained... she already knows to sit when told and when her food or water is brought out, she walks on a lesh very well..... create training????? yeah, there's alot of work there still!!!! and now the crop! whew!

Happy B-day to my son! These are busy days!

2009-08-06T16:26:00.006-04:00

My son, Brian turned 15 Monday! He loves his music (and he's quite talented at it!) so I bought him a new Gibson guitar, The Bald Man bought him a banjo and his Dad brought him this really cool drum back from Africa! My mom cooked up his favorite foods and I made him a chocolate chip cheesecake... yup, I think he had a good one! Now for some sewing... which I really have been doing alot of lately... just been lazy with the posting!

Below is an OOP Vogue #2540. It was very easy to make (made this in a day!!)and I plan to make the other view soon.

The bolero is copied from rtw. The necklace is a knitted rope with swavorski stones covering it... and I'm not sure I like it with the outfit.

The fabric is a stretch black knit jersey with silver glitter throughout that I bought at Hobby Lobby last year on clearance ($2 a yd) The contrast fabric at the bottom of the skirt is another treasure from our trip last year to Panama.

This skirt has SO much movement! Love that!

This is NL 6606 the shrug is copied from rtw. This was easy to make and I also made one of the other views took about 2 days for both.

The fabric is a light weight thin cotton I got at Walmart last year. Not the best stuff but it works.

I dressed it up a bit with a nice beaded trim around the neck line and on the front side seams.

What do you do when your husband still gets you roses for no reason....

Thank God for him!!!!! These were just what I needed the other day...

I haven't bought any fabric in a very long time.... this fabric was given to me by my moms long time friend, Gloria. There were lots of odds and ends in the bag but these were some extra great pieces!

This daisy chiffon print is so cute... I haven't a clue what I'm going to do with it! But I really like it.

Below is a very soft tan wool blend... and a great grey pin strip. Both will make great dress pants for fall/winter.

To the left here is a really great blue pin strip.

Now there's enough of this to make a whole mini wardrob!

Skirt, pants, jacket and vest!!!

It was very thoughtful of her to think of me and pass this great fabric along to me!!

I've also made some much needed dog beds! Here's Pacster on his Titans fleece bed!

Draping Projects and Back yard goodies

2009-07-19T13:58:00.006-04:00

I love this summer fabric my mom got me at a sale somewhere!... huge tropical flowers, gold fish.. perfect summery jersey fabric!
I made this by draping on my dress form. Its actually 2 pieces. The top is separate from the dress. Back view... I also used this beautiful red/orange netting to accent the dress.

Below...This fabric was left over from a bellydance costume I made a client. Again made by draping. Darts give it just enough shape... I didn't want a super tight look.

I LOVE to experiment with draping!! Its so fun and makes me feel extra creative..

I also made the necklace I'm wearing... its braided fabric strips, beaded with black and clear crystal beads and a silver cross... and I need a close up of it!

Backyard Bounties!!!!

Check out my Purple Bell Pepper!!!! Its my first pepper of the season.

Scallop squash.. I have so much (anyone know any good recipes???)... MORE zucchini! and MORE cucumbers!..

My 2 little blue berry bushes even gave up a bowl of berries! There were more but I ate them as I picked! heehee

Puppy Update.... Dixie and 2-Pac are best buds now!! Check Dixie out after a play session..

so precious.....

No,sewing... but LOOK!!!!

2009-07-11T08:39:00.009-04:00

Why, why would I do this??? Get a puppy??? When I already complain about no time!
But I've been looking for a doberman puppy for a while now... my son has wanted a "big" dog for a while.... The Bald Man was indifferent at first and now he's CRAZY about this dog! (he missed having a "mans dog!" I guess my 4lb baby 2-pac didn't quite fit that bill) ............and here she is.... meet
Dixieland Sugar Delight... we couldn't decide between Dixie and Sugar... so thats her AKC name.. but we call her Dixie.... my son thought Sugar (my choice) was to 'sweet' to name a doberman! All the way to VA and back Monday to pick her up! Its hard to find a good doberman breeder... I mean really hard! Especially since I didn't want a breeder who did conformation.
And I had really specific needs for this puppy... I wanted a girl because of the male dominance 'issues' dobes sometimes have with other males (not good for Pac!) , I wanted her young! so she could grow up with 2-pac and not want to eat him.... had to be a Doberman! nothing else would do.... And she had to be AKC so I can participate in Obedience and maybe agility AKC trails with her.

She's 8 weeks old! and a darling handful!!! I had dobes a while back (back longer than I care to share with you!!!) and they were so fun! Very protective and loving... Even though they were big babies everyone was so scared of them! Which is really a plus, when "salesmen "come to the door, when I'm out walking the dogs alone... I mean NO ONE is scared of a toy poodle... even though he's really the mean one!

2-pac was not happy about her at first but he's learning that she's fun to play with since she has ALMOST as much energy as him.

Just adorable....

Its a long road with a new pup... training, house breaking, lots of play, more training and more training! Add ear crop drama on to that... whew!

But its SO worth it!

I'm off to make a new dog bed and puppy toys....... they just LOVE toys made of fleece and stuffed with plastic bags!

HAPPY 4TH!!! I need a break!

2009-07-04T16:49:00.003-04:00

Happy 4th of July everyone! See I haven't forgot about my blog... just been busier than I have EVER been in the summer...

Heehee! My little garden helper....
Ok! I couldn't resist, now seriously.... I have managed to crochet quite a bit during my son's Jiu Jitsu classes that last an hour and he takes 2 or 3 times a week!
This little pullover vest was super fast and really easy. Made using some cool Japanese yarn that I would have never been able to afford... and it was still expensive on sale! But it made me feel better that it was on sale ;) And I got to tell The Bald Man I bought the yarn on sale...
Know what I mean???? lol!

I have been sewing... I made a beautiful dress by draping that I need to picture. Otherwise I've just been making lots of basics... 4 tanks, 2 tees and 2 yoga pants.... I'm going to do some lite weight cropped jackets too.... For my....
" 'Round the house yoga/walking Wardrobe" My 'round the house wear was looking kinda sad. So I thought it was time to make some cute stuff that I could wear to do yoga in, go walking and look decent wearing in case I need to go to the door for a package or something!! I'm making some yoga 'gear' too!
*******************************************************************************
Now Just look at The Bald Man's little terrace corn field! In between the rows he also has different squash planted and beans that are growing up the corn stalks! Its his FIRST garden ever! I think he's a natural!

My garden is doing fabulous too... EXCEPT my tomatoes.... they got Early Blight so all had to go!
But thats ok... I've got TONS of cucumbers, squash, zucchini, onions... even some blueberries!!!! ... and lots more on the way!!!
All my herbs are huge... I love using fresh herbs in my cooking!

I'll try not to be so slack this month! I really do have alot I would like to show all my blog buddies out there!
Y'all have a great 4th and a great weekend!
God bless you and Stay Safe!!!!!!!

Whats been keeping me away?????

2009-06-06T16:27:00.008-04:00

Oh, how I love spring!!!!! But its been such a crazy busy time with The Bald Mans new business, cooking ALL the time, putting the embroidery machine to use, sewing, crocheting and more sewing
Now the BIG project I talked about before has been done for about 2 weeks... Its all started with
a Roberto Cavalli dress I saw in WWD last fall. Inspiration!!! YES!!!! I found a similar pattern V8636, then splurged on Pfaffs Magnificent Floral embroidery CD.
I made the dress (fitting nightmare in the bust!!!) then embroidered all the applique flower petals, leaves, vines and buds on organza....

Put them all together on the side skirt of the dress.... and then hand beaded the empire waistline... also later I went back and hand beaded the trim all the way around the very plunged neckline! The ends of the sash have hand beaded fringe with tiny crosses.

I also sparingly scattered swarovski 2mm amethyst crystals to the flower.
I just love it... its better than I had imagined in my head.... I've yet to wear it! But I can't wait!!!

It was a challenge... time consuming and worth it!

Here's the purse... To cute!! and all it can carry is a lipstick and a credit card!! lol!!

Here's one of the many tops I've made this spring... its my favorite though! Its a Anna Sui Vogue pattern. I made a full bust adjustment..

Used a chiffon fabric and instead of a pre made ribbon for the trim I made this trim out of some silk snow leopard print fabric.

I can't resist showing y'all my garden.... its out of control, I've run out of room and I've taken over the deck with my plants too!

Here's lettuce, peppers, basil, kale, french sorrel and citronella

More citronella, lemon verbena, bay plant and more seedlings coming!

My giant Zucchini plant!

My garden is growing SOOOOO well with all the rain God has sent us this spring...

I even pet sit for my sons friend one day last week... This is Max... isn't he ADORABLE!

Well... off to cook dinner!

Coming up projects.... more embroidery projects I've worked on, another draped dress and top, The Bald Mans new shirt and a new crochet top finished!

The "Panama Dress"!

2009-05-16T11:31:00.004-04:00

Here is my "Panama Dress" from fabric I bought in... yes Panama! Its actually a skirt and top
but it does look like a dress. No pattern, all draped. The skirt is made up of 4 separate long triangle panels that are that are rounded at the bottom. There's ALOT of movement in the skirt.
The top is a fitted band around the waist and the top bust part is only attached in the back and at the sides so the bust part makes a pretty drape and I could get the waist part super tight and fitted.
I hand knit the belt out of some beautiful copper yarn I got up in Philly and attached it to the skirt.
The purse is some fabric I got at the sewing expo last year and is covered in tiny black poodles.
It draws up at the top and through a little black crocheted doily I made that I covered in crystals. The pattern for the purse is called Circle Purse and I can't remember the designer!!!
Someone asked me where I bought this dress when I wore it out last Tues. and yes I beamed when I said "I designed and made it"!!!
Isn't it the best when that happens!!! Here's a pic of the Brides Maid dress I made last month from a vogue pattern that I can't remember... imagine that!
Its turned out well and I'm so glad she sent me a pic.

The BIG project is still in the works.... but getting closer and closer!!!!!

Finally some pics!

2009-05-13T16:35:00.005-04:00

Here are some pics of projects I completed ... hmmmmm.... a little while ago!
First... Bald Man's Italian Tweed Linen Blazer... which was supposed to be a whole suit but I didn't have enough fabric for the pants.... he's still pouting about it too!
Its not that it was hard... but very time consuming.... for some reason it looks like theres a spot on this pic.... I admit I prayed while making this collar.... oh! and the pockets... ok the whole thing!

I am very happy with the way it turned out all except the sleeve vents... I'll get'em done better next time! lol!!!!! if there is a next time!

My Bald Man ofcourse is super happy with it! and loves it!!!

The following bags were made from New Look 6574 which I have used countless times for bags!

Here's my thrift store suede patch skirt... now a cute handbag! Embellished with part of an old chain belt and some buttons taken off an old blazer.

The inside has a zipper pocket and two open pockets, lined with this left over poly/wool blend I used for a vest last winter.

This was my Mom's Mothers Day present! Remember I showed ya'll my marble cotton and Mickey fabric!!! Well it became my mom's new knitting bag!

I wanted the bag to open completely up so I changed the pattern and added this button closure.

A large Velcro padded pocket inside to hold patterns. and a smaller pocket on the out side of that.
Three other pockets.
I made this to go with it out of the left over fabric... a knitting needle and crochet hook case
You can barely see the stitching here,, but there lots of room for knitting needles!
Now I need one for my crochet.... which has become quit slow lately because of the wonderful weather I wa

I have also completed so many tops for myself and I'm currently working on a 'big' project!!!!

Oh yeah!!!!

New Projects and my new friend!

2009-05-02T07:58:00.003-04:00

Let me introduce you to my lovely TacSew blind stitch machine....
He makes completely invisible hems!!!!! I've even used a different color thread than what I was hemming and you can't see the tiny hem at all! Its amazing!
I've actually had this baby for about 2 months now. I used it on my skirt in the last post, Bald Mans slacks and blazer! Its crazy fast!
I admit to really wanting this machine after reading this article by the Sewing Divas..
How could you not want it after that! Plus I always hated the blind hem stitching a regular machine does....
I researched out what kind I wanted... and TacSew had the best reviews... and what do you know... the exact machine I wanted my machine dealer carried!!! YES!
Its not complicated to thread... not complicated to adjust... and if I did have any problems my machine dealer knows all about this machine.. so I would have help.
The hardest thing about it is getting used to how fast it is. Its much faster than my serger or my coverstitch... It reminds me of the super fast machines I used to run years and years ago in the sewing factory I worked at one summer.
I highly recommend this machine if your looking for a new friend to add to the sewing room!

Projects!!!! I finished alot this week! I made 4 shirts!!! Not complicated shirts... but still!

I really have a ton I've made I need to post... I'll get the Bald Man to do a 'photo shoot' soon. And I need pics of him in his blazer too!

Anyways... next projects...

WIP! This outfit is alittle wild... I made the skirt last year from a BWOF but never really liked anything I had to go with it... and didn't like any fabric I had for it...
This fabric was left over from a costume I made a client last year... I love it with the skirt!
The top is draped, no where near done and completely pinned right now!
Below here... a leather skirt is being refashioned into a simple purse...

Here.. some super cute Mickey Mouse fabric paired with a gorgeous marbled fabric.... all cut out and going to be a tote bag!

Crocheting is going pretty slow lately... not because I'm not crocheting... because the 2 projects I'm working out are spring tops and taking forever!!!

A spring/summer outfit! Finally!!!

2009-04-24T17:09:00.004-04:00

Yes! I finally got to wear one of my spring/summer outfits!!!! I have had this finished for 2 weeks now but it kept turning off to cool in the evening to wear it.

This is how it was made:
I used no pattern.
The top is a very simple chiffon top I draped but I did use french seams! Thank goodness there were few seams lol!

The skirt was draped also.Its a lightweight slightly crinkled cotton. I added the sheer cut outs down the left side for some detail to an otherwise pretty boring skirt. I got the ideal from a Threads magazine.
The skirt has an elastic waist band put on with the serger, turned under and blindstitched so you can't tell the elastic is there at all. The front of the top shows alittle of the stomach... but I wanted the back to show alot! Kinda like... its a little sexy without being out there sexy!!!
From the left shoulder there are 3 long bias strips of chiffon hanging.

I wore this dancing last Saturday and it moved beautifully! I seriously have like $8 dollars in this whole outfit. The fabrics were clearances at Jo anns last year, bought when they had the 50% off all clearance fabrics! Love it when that happens!

My crochet socks are done!... My Bald Mans blazer is done (pics soon!!!!!!!!)

My panama fabric draping project... also done!!!!

All the work for other people I had to do (costume, dress, prom accessories) ALL DONE!

This week is all about my garden, 'me' sewing.... and trying to figure out what to make my mom for mothers day!

I worked planning my garden and in my garden all day today... then I baked an apple pie and cut out 2 shirts.

I'm super excited about my garden this year!!!!!! I have 3 different varieties of heirloom tomatoes I'm going to try and some gourmet purple and orange peppers!!!!

My mint garden has came back strong from last years planting! Even my chocolate mint herb!!! Which I was worried wouldn't.

My lavender is beautiful this year too! I love lavender, lemon verbena and lemon balm! Such wonderful smells....

Sorry to go on about my garden .. I can't help it!!! Its makes me happy....

If only I had some chickens like my mom does now.... maybe if I just had 3 chickens... the neighbors wouldn't notice!!! Ya think???????

I would also like some goats... maybe 2 or 4.... I'm pretty sure the neighbors would notice them though!lol!!!

What I'm working on!!!!

2009-04-14T17:36:00.007-04:00

The Bald Man's blazer is being worked on this week!
I did the darts and front sides and I finished the pockets today. Below is a pick of the bottom welt pocket with flap. There are two of these on the bottom of the jacket. And here is the breast pocket....

They were not as hard to make as I thought they would be... I mean I can make a welt pocket and have a few times... but anytime I have to make one or any version of one I freak out... put it off... finally make it...

and think... 'hmmmm, that wasn't really hard'

Every time!!!! lol!!!!

I am taking my own sweet time with this blazer though. If I hurry with a project like this I know it will stress me out!

In crochet land I finished the most beautiful shell top that I've yet to wear!

And I'm crocheting a pair of socks!!!!!

I finished this one this morning!!! Now for the other one! Isn't it cute?

And an one going project that will likely take all year... a "Scrap-ghan" made from left overs!

Our friend the back yard raccoon has a friend and we think they have babies.... Even though

Raccoons are nocturnal apparently in urban areas they do come out and look for food during the day... especially when they have babies.

I used to have a pet raccoon so I enjoy seeing them in the back yard... I just hope my cat is smart enough to keep her distance!

I finished the braidsmaid dress I was working on for a client!!! I forgot to take a pic today before she picked it up... but I hope she sends me one from the wedding! It turned out very pretty!

And I'm working on a long sash and big bow for prom dress... small project but every little bit I earn helps keep me in fabric and yarn!!!

Wow.... I really want to make myself another dress or pair of yoga pants.... but I'll have to wait....

on with the blazer....

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T15:52:00.002-04:00

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...

~1 Peter 1:3

Praise and Thanks to God for our savior Jesus Christ!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Easter!

My new fav Dress and the winner is!!!!

2009-04-11T08:19:00.003-04:00

This is my new favorite dress... Vogue 1020... made from more fabulous fabric I got down in Panama! I shorten the dress quite a bit for a throw back mini look.

The gathers at the side are so flattering!
No problems with this pattern at all!
I made this dress and 2 tops from this pattern (one lace long sleeve and one knit short sleeve) all in one day.
I want many more of these dresses! I need more of these dresses or I will wear this one out!

I crocheted the little scarf... its hairpin lace crochet. Worked up in about
45min. to an hour

And the little leg warmers!!! I crocheted them up quick a couple of months ago.

I need some in black too...

I really have been sewing alot... just not posting alot! I guess because alot of the things I've been sewing for myself have been basics.

I've been crocheting ALOT too.... the things I just finished a shell top and I'm now working on an afghan and a pair of socks

AND working on a bridesmaid dress for a client.

*Suit Update*

The blazer is all cut out, interfaced and marked but it has to wait until the bridesmaid dress is done.

***************GIVE AWAY WINNER******************************

Linda at Danvillegirl.blogspot in VA has won the drawing for the Easy Fashion BWOF magazine!

Email me your mailing address Linda!!!!

Next give away will be a Japanese sewing magazine I think....

GIVE AWAY!

2009-04-03T18:37:00.006-04:00

I have never done a give away... and after 289 posts I think its about time I do...
I have tons of books, mags and patterns... maybe this is a nice way to start clearing out stuff I'm not going to use.... and a way to say thanks to my sewing buddies out there in blogland.
You guys are great!! And I really love getting comments from you guys. Thanks!!!
Up for giveaway:
This Easy Fashion magazine by Burda was published last year and I have never used it Its all in German... but comes with full size patterns like the regular BWOF.

So if you're familiar with BWOF you wouldn't have any trouble making something from this magazine.

So if you would like this magazine please leave a comment saying you would like to go into the drawing for it.

I'll announce a winner next week and mail it out to you!!!!

*hugs* to ALL my sewing sisters out there!

Happy Sewing!

Just alittle hoop action

2009-04-03T18:27:00.002-04:00

I think I'm getting better!

hmmmm... I've got enough bruises from the hoop I should be better!

I still can't hoop on my chest for long... and there's a good reason for that! lol!!!

The Slacks, new top, new project and babies!

2009-03-31T07:54:00.006-04:00

Hey are the Bald Man's new slacks I made last week!!! He loves them and they fit him perfect! I was stressed for nothing!

The pattern I used is Burda 8272

The problem now is I have to start on his suit!!!! I bought an Italian linen blend on the Asheville trip for him.... yes I'm scared of the suit and stressing. I will be using this pattern for the slacks and a Kwik Sew pattern for the Blazer. All dressed up for Chatt-town clubbin'! This top is Burda 8219

In the pic on the pattern the 'peek-a-boo' hole doesn't look that big on the model... on me....

well... seeing as how I'm alot bigger than the model....

Next time I will make the version with the tie to take away for so much cleavage... sexy top though!

Here's my next draping project... its at the pinned stage I've not actually sewed anything yet..

I hand knit the copper belt for the skirt, the fabric is from Panama. I am loving mid drift baring tops for summer.

LOOK!!! My mom has babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Little chicks!! And I'm so jealous! I want chickens sooooo bad!!!! The neighbors in our sub division wouldn't appreciate it though... unless I bribed them with free eggs maybe....

Couldn't resist posting this pic of MY babies. They have new bones here.. sooo cute!

I'm also working a a costume for a friend/client that is going to be SO awesome on her. I can't wait to get it done!

And I made a dress yesterday that was a hot mess... I fixed it but more on that torturous

adventure later... I just can't talk about it yet! LOL!

*********************HELP NEEDED*****************************************

I am looking for a bathing suit pattern that won't 'showcase' my hideous thighs! Its very hard to make a bathing suit that hides thighs I think... any recommendations on a pattern out there????

All dressed up... a refashion, crochet and FOOD..

2009-03-21T14:59:00.008-04:00

The Bad news is... my favorite restaurant, The Orangery is closing next week.... the good new is we went out to eat there and had a Fabulous Night!!!!!

The Orangery is an amazing french restaurant that has been in business like 30 years here in K-town. I'm very sad to see it go. It is pricey... but worth every penny! I mean... Lobster Crepes... mmmmm.... yes! worth every penny.. and every calorie! Now the Bald Man will have to figure out how to make them!

For the occasion I whipped up this lace dress. The Orangery is a pretty fancy place so I knew I could get away with a floor length dress.

I didn't use a pattern... just my dress form. I made the shrug last year.

*************************************************************************************

Crocheting.... finally finished this up last week! The pattern is from last months Crochet! Magazine . Very easy to make topper!

Fashion remake!

I really wish I had a before pic of the boring light colored jeans and faded red sweater this out fit used to be .. because now....

I dyed the sweater burgundy, added a animal print lace trim to the V-neck using my felting machine

The light colored jeans (light colored pants are not my friend!) I dyed a dark grey, felted and appliqued some black sparkle netting onto the tops and pockets. Also hot fixed a few crystals for some added bling! lol!!

I love fashion re-makes!!!

They are soooo fun!

************************************************************************************

What something fabulous to eat....

Shrimp Gumbo Casserole

The Bald Man cooked this up for me last Sunday!

It was even better the next day.

Click the link for the recipe!

Lovely Chanel...I can never afford you.. but

2009-03-14T23:35:00.005-04:00

I can knock you off sometimes! Well...

Not exactly knock you off... but close!

I love this outfit... Its really not as short as it looks in this pic but with my arm propped up on the rail.. makes it look shorter. (also makes me think I should wear some fake tan with this outfit!lol!!!!)

This 'circle' top was simple to drape just by looking at the picture. Simple to sew together by hand and the hem was done with a 2 thread hem on my serger.

The pants are from a BWOF pattern but I added the same Chanel detailing of piping around the waist and at the bottom of the wide leg pants... which makes them flare out so nicely!
Didn't get a great of a pic of the pants but I like them alot!

This was a wearable muslin...and I would like to make another one... in better colors...

This was just one of the many projects I worked on last week!

I also did a ton of 'refashion' projects! Which I need pics of.... And working on a costume for someone...

I'm so behind on my blogging... there's so much I want to show!

I need more hours in the day.... but don't we all! lol!!!

I also have a pattern prepped and ready to cut out... The Bald Man's dress slacks... I'm terrified of them!!!!!! But he needs a suit... bad! And I would hate to think what it would cost to have one custom made for him... because they don't make off the rack suits to fit my man! Since I know I can make a blazer.... I have to face the slacks!!!!!!