<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/7791027/?claim=6j22xe83d9n">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Once in my lifetime

Happy 12-12-12


Or as I like to call it Happy Mic Check Day 121212

HAPPY SPRING!

Happy first day of Spring. 

2-29-12

Happy Leap Day Everyone. 

It has been a while, but don't worry.  I will have some posts coming up and more pictures of costumes I have created and sewn.  Life has been a journey recently.  Trying to fit everything in, I hope you make the most of your extra day today.

Happy Veteran's Day!

11-11-11

Best wishes to all those who have and still serve in our armed forces.  May God Bless You.

Halloween 2011

Well, It seems it has been a while.  I have been busy with many projects, but I wanted to make sure and get up a couple of pics from our Halloween Theme 2011.  We went with Gnomeo and Juliet for my wife and myself, and our daughter was Featherstone, the Flamingo.  These were a lot of fun to design and make.

I will add some more later.  We still need to have an actual photo shoot in the costumes.

What were you and yours this past Halloween?

What do I have coming up?  Christmas Carol Costumes.  Time to overhaul and make some new ones for our annual Christmas Carol production. 

Victorian Bonnet

I recently finished a Victorian bonnet for a friend in shades of brown velvet, satin, and sheer silk.  Bonnets are always fun, because even though they are basically the same pattern , they can be decorated a myriad of ways.  I also have a few more that I will be showing you as they are completed.  I am working on some for our annual production of  "A Christmas Carol".  I want to get them finished while there is still time in the summer before our crazy Holiday schedules start.  Do you think it will cool off if I am working on Christmas projects?  I hope so, this heat wave has been brutal. 

Win an Accuquilt Baby Go Cutter

Win an Accuquilt Baby Go Cutter

Wedding Gown to Christening Gown Makeover

Hello there.  I was able to finally get some photos saved on my computer to publish.  Hope you enjoy. 
First up, the christening gown.  If you remember, this started with the 1970's wedding dress (polyester and glue on trim).  But I do believe it turned out very cute.  It is my own drafted/draped version.



Dress Before.  Front view.



Back view.





Trim Close-up.



More trim close-up.



Christening Gown - After.





Front trim.



Back Trim





Displayed with bonnet.



Displayed back view.

Bonnet, Diaper Cover and Booties.

The gown has been in storage since the wedding.  It took a good pressing and steaming before I started.  It could have used a washing, but I didn't want to risk it.  The steam helped to loosen up the glued on trims.  I salvaged what I could to use on the gown.  Some items were just too brittle to use though. 

The waist band on the gown was taken from the neck piece of the wedding dress.  I initially wanted to make a gown and a christening suit, but did not have enough fabric.  What I did do though was make this a unisex gown.  The sheer overlay on the gown is removable.  It is attached with clear snaps.  When removed, the gown can be used for a boy. 

The bonnet is also reversible.  One side is plain, and the other side is trimmed in the flower trim. 

This was a fun project to work on. 

I tested some smocking for the bodice on this piece, but with the fabrics, it did not turn out as nice as I would have liked.  

Coming up - The Victorian Bonnet.





SILHOUETTE MACHINE GIVEAWAY!!!!

SILHOUETTE MACHINE GIVEAWAY!!!!

Wal-Mart Fabric Department

Fabric among products Walmart will begin stocking again

Bentonville, Ark. - Walmart U.S. said it will broaden its assortment by some 8,500 skus, reintroducing some items it had cut during an earlier bout of editing - including fabrics.
In 2009, Walmart began eliminating fabric departments in many stores as part of its upscaling remodel to lure higher-income shoppers out of food and commodities into its general merchandise departments.
The fabric strategy proved a boom to competitors like Jo-Ann stores, which in December 2009 said Walmart's move was opening up greater market share for the specialty retailer.
Restored products - many of them regional food favorites - will carry "It's Back" flags.
Walmart also will step up its price match policy and is launching a national TV advertising campaign today to support it.

A nice option for those who do not have local resources for fabric, and don't like to order on-line.

Progress

Hello sewing community.  I am still here, although a little lax in that new year's resolution to post more in 2011.  Life has been very busy, and I have many pics to update you on, but that will have to wait until I get my pics downloaded, and that means that I have to wait until I find the camera that has the card, so I can download the pics. 

Much sewing has gone on around here:
 
Two sets of matching dresses fro Mommy and Daughter. 
A couple of sweater fashion redo's for the Daughter. 

An actual job turning one woman's 1970's DATED wedding gown (one she desperately tried to get her daughter to wear, but failed) turned into a GORGEOUS 4 piece christening gown set (no grand babies yet, but wanted to be prepared.

Another job making a self drafted Victorian outfit for a 35" Victorian Doll.  Complete with Skirt, Bodice, Bonnet, Overcoat, Muff, Bonnet to match Overcoat, and Spats.  This was so much fun to work on.

Self drafted Prom dress in Blue and Purple.

In the works:

I have a new bonnet in shades of Brown. 

Additional doll to dress with a matching bonnet in a black/dusty rose color scheme.

Easter Dress for Mommy.

Easter bolero for Mommy.

Lots of pics to come.  hopefully I can find the camera soon.

2010 Will soon be in the past. Hello 2011!!!!

Goodbye 2010.  Hello 2011!!!!

May your new year be filled with sewing dreams.

It has been a while, new years resolution to post more in 2011.

December

December is here.  Let the craziness begin.  It starts this weekend with Journey Through Bethlehem at our church. 



Next weekend is our annual production of A Christmas Carol that the whole family is in, including the dog.  Throw in a dance recital, and a 4 year old beach party theme birthday party and the weekend is full.

The third weekend includes our church cantata, I hear the Prophet Callin'.

Followed up with Christmas Eve services and Christmas day.

December is always packed, but very fun.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Hope you have a blessed day, and that you get to sew if you have a long weekend.

I do, and we are cleaning, decorating, and possibly a little sewing  in there too.




After today, we can think about Christmas.




Crazy Holiday schedule, here we come.

Grosgrain: ANOTHER SILHOUETTE MACHINE GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain: ANOTHER SILHOUETTE MACHINE GIVEAWAY!!!!

Costumes

Here are a few more costumes I have designed and constructed.

Enjoy.



100 year centennial costumes.  We came in 2nd place. (A little bitter as these 3 costumes were completely hand made.  The 1st place winner went to a costume shop, and her costume wasn't even period.  Did I mention that she offered money to the judges pulled out from her bosom, but I digress.)



Victorian Bustle Costume

Look, a clock

Stairs

Costumes from "A Christmas Carol"

A Christmas Carol flashback

Cupcake

Family

I didn't make her clothes, but I did make the princess inspired high chair cover for her princess birthday party.  I kept the tray skirt, and turned it into a petticoat for her dress up trunk.

Lobster.  This has been here before, but this is one of my favorite pics.

Gratuitous Chihuahua pics.  This is Zeus looking up.

Aphrodite is the white Chihuahua, and Camilla is the long hair Chihuahua.

She was a fashionista from the beginning.  Love this pic too.

The Long Awaited Tree Frog

Well, I was finally able to get the pics of the tree frog costume.
This costume took about 18 hours to finish.  The frog head was the worst.  I had the most trouble getting a good fit, and having it look like a frog.  Still one of my favorites though.  I hope you enjoy.



Boo at the Zoo Costume Preview



Spots and frog hump

Sophia says "Daddy can I be a Dragon Next Year?"

On the train

Hangin with my peeps

Tree frog huggin a tree frog.

End of the day

Halloween night.

Hoppin around

Frog eyes

Hoppin and ribbittin away.

It was a great couple of days and weekend.  There were just a couple of changes from the first appearance at boo at the zoo and Halloween night.  At Boo at the Zoo the costume had separate gloves that slipped over her hands.  That did not work very well and she would not keep them on.  For Halloween I attached them to the sleeves of the costume, and added a slit for her hands to come out, and an elastic strap to hold onto, much better.  I also added some Velcro to the back of the hood and the back of the costume.  That way her neck didn't show, and if she wanted to slip the hood off she could. 

She stayed plenty warm all evening, and never complained about being cold.  For next year Halloween she said that she wants to be Rapunzel.  That will be a fun one to create ,but I already told her that she will have two costumes.  We go to the zoo every year for Halloween, and I like to make the animal costumes for that.  she said that is fine,. and she is considering three costumes for next year.

Monkey

Penguin

Pink Flamingo

I have no preference, and it will be fun creating any one of those.

We did meet a few people who have remembered us from years past.  One lady said that, I have a picture of you as my screen saver from last year.  I was hoping to see you again this year.  We all got a kick out of that.  I need to remember to make some business cards to take with me next year.  I can't believe how many people asked me if I sew for others.  



Halloween Work Contest

We had a Halloween decorating/costume contest for work last Friday.  As a last minute decision (the Thursday prior) we decided to go with a People of Walmart theme.  If you have not seen this site, it is worth a visit. 

Here are a few pics of our department.

Gotta Love the People of Walmart

Group Photo

Group  Close Up

Again, Why do I need a boyfriend?

Tater tots, Shorties and Mullets

FAB-ULOUS

Here is my inspiration photo:



Why so Serious?

Tree frog costumes are on their way.  I am hoping to have them up in the next 2 days.

Oh, and we won our work contest also.  We get a pizza party provided by our work.  Not too bad for a costume that cost $0.00.  Everything was in our costume room.