desiring to distraction...what I'm obsessing about

Things I am obsessing about:

Red skinny bootcut jeans from the Gap

This industrial lightbulb:

Peplums

Finch's creations

Caramel apples

Painting stuff

organizing a special sewing swap ..anyone in? I've organized them before and have had some great themes and fun ideas for sharing.

knitting socks

Vintage shops on the go

Got anything on your mind that won't go away?

budget sewing storage makes me happy

Some of this last week, I have spent time doing work on my sewing area. Aren’t you always trying to build the better mousetrap as far as your workspace goes? Well, it all started like this:

A 77” steel office credenza that we bought at auction for $12. Seemed like the perfect solution to my desire (JR would say need) for more storage space. Wheels are turning, thinking a nice long cut-out counter on top of this thing and I’ll be all set.

Until we got it home and couldn’t lift this tonnage up the stairs as is.

So, my dear patient husband took it apart.

And we somehow, the two of us, with a hand cart, got it upstairs without breaking picture glass, destroying chandeliers or denting walls. Neither of us sustained injury. I may have wet my pants when lifting.
And then, my dear patient husband put it back together,

And topped it with an 80” flat door. (take a look...I want you to notice that I also got a new Rowenta iron...)

I filled up the cubbies and drawers.

And now, I have some very good usable space!

 (and also notice that on that little ironing board is a peplum top (one of two) that I’ll be showing off in the next day or so.)

This weekend, at an estate sale, I bought a Kenmore sewing machine that is almost as heavy as that steel credenza, perfectly clean, and in perfect working condition. 

It cost $30.

This thing is a work horse.

I am so happy to have it a part of my sewing arsenal!

mixed media jacket?

I’m dreaming of a mixed media jacket.

Michael Kors

Cabi



DKNY

Wool tweed, some ribbed knit sleeves or leather sleeves, and maybe a leather or fur collar.

I am thinking frankenpattern, frankenfabric, frankenthrift.

So I have my eyes peeled for the perfect little moto jacket pattern (maybe that Hotpatterns moto jacket that’s on my list)or the perfect little blazer pattern,  and the perfect tweed and the perfect thrift sleeves and collar.

I found this very cute little jacket with a mini-mixed media look going on…at thrift, it cost me $1.99! And it’s not too bad.

It worked for dress down Thursday. But I have dreams of something better. An now that I look at that jacket, I'm seeing those sleeves and wondering if I can cut them out and use them in my own design?....hmmmm. Or knit my own sleeves....hmmmmmm...

 

Thinking, thinking....

What do you think of the mixed media trend? Will you try it?

the fear of imperfection

I have had a $20 drop cloth draped over a chair in my bedroom for a year. Not because we were painting, or sanding drywall, but because for many, many months, I've had a plan to make a slipcover.

 And the fact of the matter is, I am SO intimidated by the process. I'm stuck frozen before that first cut every time...and I've made a slipcover or two.

So, I finally got the pieces cut out a few weeks ago. And then, I'm frozen in fear again before making that first seam. What if I mess up??? Will I have to cut another piece? I can't imagine a worse thing happening to a $20 drop cloth!  Good grief. I don't know what the fear block is all about. Because I went to my favorite video tutorial by Miss Mustard Seed, just like I did twice before...

And I did it. It's not perfect, but it's a slipcover. A soft and relaxed imperfect slipcover.

And I think I just figured out what I'm afraid of.

I am afraid of it not being perfect. 

So I just need to get over that fear of not being so perfect. Because guess what I picked up at an auction this weekend for $5?

Does fear ever keep you from challenging yourself to a new project?

Simplicity 0344 or is it 1880?

I made another shirtdress. The best shirtdress ever.

This is Simplicity 0344...otherwise known as Simplicity 1880. There are two different numbers for this same Project Runway  Pattern!  Go figure! Anyway, I made my first version back in the summer, when I joined Sunni's Two in One Dress Sew-along.

I feel just a little sassy pants in this dress, and I can think of a hundred ways to wear it.

I think what I like best is that I have already worked out the fit, modified the pattern and made my adjustments so all I had to do is

Just make it.

My modifications were the same as last time...a FBA, and replacing the waist tucks with darts, both front and back.  This time around, I did the same shirt collar dress, except with 3/4 sleeves.

It definitely has a classic, sort of retro feel to it. I made this one with 100% cotton.   It would be perfect for a weekend of antiquing
Or  for the office
Or anything in between. It's another great basic...would look even cute with a denim jacket or a blazer tossed over it.

But for today, I wore it as is. It was a nice dress for a 70 degree October day in Western New York.

So there we have it...
A navy blue polka dot shirtdress. Check.

And now, the Fall Sewing begins!

burgundy and....

The week is crawling by. Each day I've wondered if I can make it to the weekend, work has been so busy. But, I'm sort of glad. After such a dreadfully hot summer, when we hardly enjoyed the deck, patio and porch, it's nice to come home tonight and relax on the deck when the temperatures are comfortably comfortable.

Just catching up....our day, some hand sewing, noticing the newly seeded grass sprouting. These are perfect afternoons, when we can put our feet up and indulge in the colors of the autumn garden.

Burgundy is a trending color for fall. It's also trending in my garden.

Burgundy and lime green

Burgundy and black

Burgundy and  orange

Burgundy and blue

Burgundy Faux Suede Belt from Kohl's   

 I can't wait to wear my dress tomorrow!

this and that

Some things that have been going on:

First order of business is that Victoria (of Ten Thousand Sewing Hours)  is getting a one of a kind little sewing kit! While I would love to make each of you your very own little sewing kit, I don't think I'll ever make another one....or write out the directions as Karen M suggested! I really did fly by the seat of my pants when I was making it!  

So, Victoria, email me your address and I'll get that out to you just as soon as I can!

Saturday, JR and I did another vintage show...The Purple Painted Lady Barn Sale and Junk Jubilee....and by all measures, it was a success! We sold, we made new friends and contacts and enjoyed the entire atmosphere of the day. Best of all, we were invited back again next year!

We came back motivated, ready to pick and paint, and totally inspired! That said, I've also been working on another blog, which will feature more home and decor related content. I'm excited about that, and feel like it will help me to keep this blog more garment, knitting and sewing related, and the other blog can be more of what it wants to be in the area of lifestyle and home.

So, THAT said, I have been sewing, although not as much as I'd like. My mojo has been off, and I really just wanted to get this one shirtdress finished before I tackled the fall wardrobe.

And, a home sewing project is ready to be put together, too.

So, settling back into a normal routine again, ready for some new clothes, craving inspiration, and wanting to pour myself into blogging once again.  

What inspires you these days?