Wednesday, October 31, 2012

I'm Done! NL6130-E - Carnival of Skirt Sew Along

I'm done with my second skirt.  Honestly this skirt took me all of about 1 hour from cut to finish (not including hemming of course).  I am very pleased with my new skirt and can't wait to wear it.  I think I may wear it Friday with a cute sweater.  What do you think?  









Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Brooch and more Brooches

Brooch haul at my local flea market.  Renningers Flea and Farmers Market in Mount Dora, Florida is a quaint little market with lots of antique vendors along with your regular flea market stuff. 
 
Mount Dora is a beautiful situated small town northwest of Orlando.  Very historic with large, bright two and three story homes with wrap around porches.  The people of Mount Dora takes pride in the fact that they are small and a well groomed and maintained community.
 
I visit the Flea Market only a couple times of year even though its just 15 minutes from where I live. I often leave there with bags and bags of lovely brooches.  Some are junk I admit, but a lot are antiques or just beautiful.  I've never paid more than $5.00 for one either. 
 
I love brooches and I add them to my bags as a little extra. This is my latest haul:

 
 
As usual my picture is not the greatest and does not give my haul much justice.  There are some beautiful butterfly brooches that are going to be hard for me to part with.  But, my clients appreciate that little extra bling a lot.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Custom Order - Small Fur Clutch!

A friend of mine wanted me to make her a small clutch.  She wanted it to be a fur clutch.  She gave me her color scheme and an idea of what she would be wearing.  Together we came up with this:



She was pleasantly pleased, and promised to share pictures of her outfit and carrying the clutch. So stay tuned. 

Monday Morning Blues - NOT!

Monday mornings are usually daunting for me.  I usually start off whining and complaining about another start of the week and how much work I have too do and how much I haven't gotten done from last week.
But today for some reason, I feel energized. I took my nephew to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Friday night.  We had a great time and I enjoyed watching all the little children fill their candy bags.  The fireworks were marvelous, and believe it or not, it was actually organized.  This is a picture I took of the castle, It may be hard to see but it was so very beautiful at night.  

 I slept all day on Saturday, didn't get anything accomplished, because I did not leave my bed. No TV, no telephone, and no sewing.  Just slept my little bitty life away.  I enjoyed every single stinking minute of it too.

I was productive on Sunday though.  I went to Church, made dinner, cleaned a little and made a blouse.  I really like the way it came out.  Its a little snug, and the sleeves aren't long enough for my liking, so today I think I will make a couple of adjustments and re post pictures.  So check back later for the updates. 




Friday, October 26, 2012

I Would Like to Introduce you to Heather. My Newest Leather Sewn Bag



The bag came out really nice.  I initially thought I would embellish it with some studs, etc.  But the leather itself is a soft buttery leather, with a dull shine, so I just decided to use a large brass ring and Lobster Claw for my embellishment and keep it simple.  If I want to jazz it up I can add scarves or a a chain.  But if I am wearing jeans and a blazer, it will work too.  I added two drop pockets for cellphone and an ink pen as well as my little lotion bottle.  I also inserted a zipper pocket.  Every purse need a pocket to hide your little unmentionables. 
 
My Janome 6600p is a workhorse, and I used a denim needle but I still ran into some deep sewing around the shoulder straps were I had to tread lightly so as to not break the needle.  All in all it came out beautifully if I do say so myself.  
 
 
 

I am pretty impressed with the final product, and I can't wait to stuff it full of my crap and hit the streets.

It's A Gloomy Friday - But Not in My Head. I Got My MOJO back

But I'm not gloomy.  I feel like the sun is shinning down me.  I am happy.  I got my sewing and crafting mojo back.  So many ideas swarming through my head.  I just want to create.  I have been jotting and drafting, thinking and plotting on what to do next.




I got my cape on and ready to go before I loose this MOJO.  Here is a list of things I'd like to get done:

1.   New Check Book Cover
2.   New Make Up Bag
3.   Make Flip Flop Holder for my closet ( I have way too many flip flops)
4.   Make My Mom a Cellphone holder for work
5.   Reupholster my dinning room chairs.
6.   Make a curtain for my kitchen windo
7.   Make pillows for my family room sectional

So far this is just a fraction of my list, but if I can get these 7 things complete, I am well on my way to feeling a little more accomplished. 

Have a great day.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

CARNIVAL OF SKIRTS PROGRESS

I absolutely love my skirt.  I have a little tweaking to do with respect to the rear under the zipper, I did not follow my pattern to to the letter, and decided to install my zipper the way I wanted too.  I love the skirt though and have gone over in my head how I am going to wear it and with what shoes/boots and tops. 



And of course I have not hemmed it as of yet, but it will be hemmed by the weekend.  The ruffle detail in the front is my favorite feature of the skirt.

I Have Fallen In Love Again - Faultless "Hot Iron Cleaner"

 
This is the best stuff since sliced cornbread.  Really, my favorite iron was recently decimated, and I thought I would have to put it out of its misery.  I couldn't even recognize what had brunt, dried up and stuck to the plate of it.  There are several irons in our home, buy my boys sneak and use my Rowenta, my favorite iron. I have hidden it, I have declared Marshall law if they used it, and still I find it sitting on the iron board in the common area of our home. 
 
Of course when I ask who used it it's always, not me Ma.  Yeah right. 
 
I came across this tube of Faultless "Hot Iron Cleaner", and I am sold.  I wasn't even looking for it, I had already made up mind, that I had to buy me a new iron, one with a key lock, or security code, if there is such an animal.  A dab does it and the yuck comes right off. 
 
So, if Faultless is out there listening. Thanks, and yes I would totally promote and advertise for you.  This stuff is awesome.
 
 
 

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

TGIW - Thank God It's Wednesday.

Thank God its - Wednesday.  My favorite day of the week.  Most people I know heart Friday, for all the obvious reasons.  I like Friday, but it just means in a couple of days my most dreaded day Monday will be upon me.  So why Wednesday you ask?  Wednesday is mid week, it means the two days that stress me the most Monday and Tuesday are behind me, and that in just a couple more days my weekend arrives. 
 
Just my weird logic.  Sewing is my vice.  It keeps me steady, stress free and focused.  I would like to sew more during the week, but my most productive sewing days are Wednesday evening, Saturday (if no plans) and after church on Sunday.  So, out of 7 days, I get basically 2 full days worth of sewing crammed into my week.  That's just not enough sewing time for me. 
 
 
 
 



So let the sewing begin.
 
 

Monday, October 22, 2012

Progress Being Made

I have made some progress with my skirt, S1760 for Faye's Carnival of Skirts Sew-A-Long 2012.  So far my skirt is coming along lovely.  I really love the fabric I chose, though the picture does it no justice at all. 






I am also working on several other projects, completing the 2nd skirt for the sewing along and  completing a leather bag that I have cut and deciding how to embellish. I also have a blouse cut and setting idly by.  

And as yo aware, Xmas is slowly but surely approaching and all my Xmas gifts this year will be of the handmade kind.









Thursday, October 18, 2012

Butterwick 5753, View D Complete

This pattern was too easy, I browsed the instructions, but never follow them to the letter.  I had to scale it down a little from the waist. I cut a large, but I could have gotten away with a medium.

I used store bought bias as a facing for the neckline, which is a still a little to wide for me, it doesn't hide my undergarment.  I will scale the neckline smaller next time and see how it comes out.  I am still fighting with sewing knits. 

I am pleased, and I am wearing it today to work. 



Happy Day!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Carnival Of Skirts Sew-A-Long. I'm All In!

I am so excited to be invited to be apart of the Carnival of Skirts Sew-A-Long feathered by featured by the wonderful Faye Lewis of:  Faye's Sewing Adventure.


Carnival of Skirts Sew-A-Long



Stay tuned!

Monday, October 15, 2012

New Bag in The Works

I have had this nice piece of leather for over a year, I cut out the basic shape of my hobo bag over a month ago.  I also purchased some beautiful bronze studs to embellish my bag, but I can't decide my finishing touches.



New Fabric Yumminess!!!!


I picked up some new fabric this weekend.  Not sure what I am going to do with it as of yet, I have some inspirations.  What do you think?



Sunday, October 14, 2012

My First Sew Along

I am a  member of a group on Facebook called:  Sewn Up - A Group for Sewists and Would-be-Sewists.  We have our first Sew Along, and I am excited to say that I will be participating.  This is my first Sew Along and am excited very about getting started.  

The pattern we chose as a group after a group vote is:  B5753 (any view).    I chose view C, which was the consensus for most of the group.  Very simple pattern, I usually make these type of dorman sleeve tops without a pattern at all.   Our finished garments are to be presented to the group on October 22, 2012.  I guess I better get started, hah.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Finished WP, Simplicity 2369

I finished 2369.  It really came out better than I expected.  I had a little screw up on  one of the sleeve sat the shoulder, but it not really recognizable.  I hate that I am a perfectionist, it really kills me buzz sometime. I can definitely see myself make several more of these, especially the Maxi in a funky geometric pattern.
 


 


Have a great day!
 

Thursday, October 11, 2012

WIP - Simplicity 2369 View C

I could never have enough blouses, Shirts and Tops.  I own about 3 pair of pants that I love and rest of my wardrobe are tops.  I have decided totally clear out  my closet of anything I haven't touched in a year, which is actually most of my closet.  If I haven't worn it, its gone.

Last night I started on Simplicity 2369 View C.  I cut it out a couple of days ago.  My fabric is a Silky Knit in bright yellow like the envelope picture.  I normally think of  yellow as a Spring/Fall color so I think it will go really nice with with my fall color Pallet.   As soon as I am done I will post pictures.

 
 
I plan to wear it with a nice pair of wide leg dark Jeans.  Hope you have a great day, and I'll be back. 

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Sewing Inspiration

I get a lot of my sewing inspiration from not so much the fashion scene, but I do enjoy watching what others wear.  I feel today's fashion is all about how you feel, and I am really feeling this outfit here.  I just love the comfy simpleness of it and the way if flows.  We don't get much of a winter here in Central Florida, so I can see me in this on a nice breezy afternoon, with maybe a little wrap if I get cool.  
 
 
 

How I'm Feeling

Monday, October 8, 2012

Simplicity A2120 - DONE, No Excitement at all

I finished Simplicity A2120, its an IT'S SO EASY pattern, that would take a seasoned sewer probably, 10 min from cut to hem.  And actually it didn't take me an hour, I just decided to start the process at 10 p.m., and after cutting out and stay stitching decided to wait until the next day to finish up, which took me all about 30 min from start to hem. 
 
My photography is not the best, but I am working on it.  
I am pleased with it overall, its really simple.  Nothing spectacular at all.  I am on this Mustard/Rust color rant right now.  I love fall and brown, beige, mustard, maroon and reds are swirling in my head. 
As I mentioned before I suffer from Blackness (not because I a Black) but because when I look in my closet that is all I see.

I literally own 6 pair of dress black pants.  Yes, six pair.  Who needs six pair.  And I promise you they are all different.  Now I do own 3 additional pair of black paints with stripes, gray and white.  So that is a total of NINE (9), yes 9 pair of black pants. 

I won't bore you with the number of black shorts, tops and shoes. 


Sunday, October 7, 2012

Weekend Over, And I Have Accomplished Nothing!

Well I did hit the Joanns sale.  I got to take advantage of the Simplicity .99 cent pattern sale.  I feel extremely lucky.  I got 10 patterns I wanted and some new fabric Yummy.  So I guess I did get something accomplished.  No sewing done though. 




Hopefully I can get some sewing done this week, I have so many options.



Friday, October 5, 2012

Dressed Down Friday

A Quick Top

It was pretty ugly today and rainy in Orlando, so after cooking dinner I thought why not sew up something quick.  Just something quick to throw on when Hubby and I go out for  dinner or to the movies.  Something sexy but that I could wear with Jeans or some lightweight linen wide leg pants.  Wow, say that twice.  LOL






Its not finished and or hemmed.  I'm going to play with a little more, maybe add a little fabric in the seams to loosen it up.  What do you think?

Thursday, October 4, 2012

I'm Feeling Those Pants


Boy am I feeling these pants.  I'm thinking I need to have them.  The colors are beautiful too.  Green is such a pretty color and falls in line with my Fall color pallet. 

 
IT'S MELANIE DARLING // BLOG DESIGN BY CHIC PIXELS