Perfection no more...

Here's today's label.

I had to improvise on the ribbon size since I can't find the width I'd actually prefer so instead I have sewn togther two widths. It's "good enough" - a novel concept that I have embraced in my mid life wisdom.

No more hunting endlessly for the perfect whatever...those days are behind me, thank goodness.

I wasted an unbelievable amount of precious time driving to the ends of the earth to find exactly the perfect button, trim, fabric...


Not any more.

This girl is a little wiser and alot more tired ...

Homemade labels

My latest obsession is label-making so you'll be seeing alot of these little creations. They are labor intensive and far more work than I had imagined. It seems so simple - just pick a font and type my name...

It's my nature to take the simple and complicate it as much as humanly possible or I just don't feel right.

Happy 4-Thread Industrial Embroidery Machine = Lot's of headaches

This is it!

This 4-head embroidery machine is amazing and as intimidating as it looks.

I am still trying to tame it and am making progress slowly.  I am a beginner digitizer and there is never a dull moment in my day. 

I've experimented with label making a bit and am now ready to get serious about making some nice ones. I think they will be a perfect gift for my sewing galpals. We are meeting up once a month and my great plan is to have a new one for them each time we met. There are 6 of us so I'll be busy.

This one here is my first one with the new embroidery machine. I am testing out color combinations. I think I like the red better than the beige so my next test-out will be with all red flowers on a golden satin ribbon. 

~Frilly hostess apron~

Aprons have become all the rage in the past few years. I've seen them for as much as $130  at one boutique in Clairemont Village.  I have one for every holiday now. This one is from a collection that I made for my classroom in hopes of inspiring students to make their own.

Fleece pillow sham and blanket

Fleece is a dream to work with.

Didn't have a daughter to dress up...

I didn't have a daughter I could dress up so my son had to do...

He had the fanciest hats this side of England.

Label

Trying my hand at a personalized label

My absolute favorite...

A labor of love. Too many hours to count...

What can you do with your old leather mini skirt and rocker belt from your heyday?

Recyclying at it's best

Dressform sewing bag

There was only a itty bitty piece of this dressform fabric - maybe 1/2 yard so I had to make the most of it! I used this to transport my  things to sewing class.

Vintage apron made with love and far too much time

Vintage Apron Pattern

Days and days of bias tape making but so worth it~

Quick sweater that would not cause me any pain...

Needed an easy quick-to-make sweater to dress up an outfit. Couldn't be any easier than this.

What to do with scraps...

3 piece outfit made from leopard pattern fabric remants that I had from past projects. The skirt pattern makes great use of scrap fabrics. Tulip shaped skirt is quite flattering.

A Summer bag delayed...

Sweet summer bag made in dreaded chiffon.
Backed with fusible fleece to make it worthy of my limited time . Beaded .
Did not photograph well, it's lovely though!

Started making this in the Summer of 2008.
Completed Summer of 2009.

Black and White

Funny thing.

I have been stopped on the streets when I have worn this skirt.

For some reason, everytime I wear it I get at least one compliment.

I've never had a garment that has gotten so much attention.

If I'm feeling particularly introverted, I don't wear this skirt.

There's also a matching headband.

I now have 8 skirts in this pattern,

someone stop me!

3 years and worth the wait..

Fabric Purchases - 2006

Jacket started - 2007

Jacket completed - 2008

Jacket worn - 2009

How does this happen?  I loved this, then I hated it and I am once again ~in- love~.

It does look really nice - what was I thinking?

Finished in time!

This is the completed graduation outfit.  It was exactly what I had hoped for.

The 3 pieces were from different patterns. Jacket is Nancy's Ziemans, The top was from vogue, at least the stripped portion, the rest I re-designed and the skirt was a much used and loved McCalls.

Yes, It's a rooster.

The Animal Control officer seized my live rooster against my wishes in 1998 and I haven't been the same since...     

                                     

I still miss her, I mean him...

So anyhow, this is in place of the real Rudy the Rooster, for now at least.

He' s certainly not as cute as Rudy but he's alot lower maintenance and that counts for alot.

He was a pain to make, to be honest with you, but that won't stop me from making 2 more.

 I'm going to reduce the pattern size to 75 % and make a baby rooster to play with his dad.

The pattern is from one of those independent designers and it was very hard to follow.

I had to "wing" it most of the way...

As you can tell, I have done nothing here. Life gets in the way of the best intentions.
A perpetually hungry husband, an active child and a fun but demanding job all vie for my attention and as I quickly age, I find I can't stretch like I use to.

Check back - I have big plans for this blog and tons of pictures of my latest projects.

It will be worth the wait...


D