Upcycling project!

My daughter had a dress she got for her sweet 16 at forever 21 that her legs grew out of (think bootie short)... I loved the bubble gum pink so I made some super ruffle capris out of them.  Liv loves them, I am on the fence because they are soooo out there.

Detail of the ruffles for miles...

Upcycling can be a lot of fun - Sofanna may have cried a little when I cut her dress up.  I admit it was a hard thing to do.

Still kicking!

I haven't been posting much latley, military life does that sometimes.  Sewing has been at the bottom of a box...literally.

This new house has maids quarters (not as glamorous as one might think) and we made it into a sewing room for now.

I have been pattern testing for Signature creations and just finished this little outfit - I don't want her face on here as she's not my little one and feel that is only a Momma's right.

The front turned out adorable though...

I did a size 10 for her as well and took some pics of 'the Liv' that turned out pretty good for being iPhone shots.

This is the "Birdie ruffle skirt" by Signature creations.  Available in short or maxi shirt options.  It was a fun sew and the pattern would be rated beginner in my estimation and it is available with tutorial for a PDF purchase and instant delivery.  

It turned out pretty stinking cute in lace as well no?  A little Marie Antionette inspired?

Well the pattern was a success and now I am in the process of testing a shirts pattern that will echo the ruffles here.  Stay tuned for those :)

Journey Bag

Amy Hamberlin over at www.katicupcake.com asked me to do a pattern test for her again. (in reality I begged her, I was in the mood to try something new ;) Here is the pic of her bag pattern available in two sizes. I made the big one, I was envisioning it as a way cute carry on in case I ever go somewhere fun. I made a few adjustments to the inside, but just put two seams on each side of the pockets to make a few smaller ones for pens, and a cell phone etc.

My finished bag. Amy Hamberlin's "Journey" bag. The fabric VINTAGE Amy Butler, the green is Kings Fern from her Charm (?) line, and the brown is from her Daisy Chain line called "sweet jasmine /brown" amazingly enough bought years apart, and had the same colorways so they worked. Not sure if the computer will show it or not, but the pink is almost purple and the green has a minty blue and impossible to match hue to it. So I am so happy I found something that works, and is dark so the straps won't show dirt, and the inside lining won't look grungy. BTW, that was my first real bag I have ever made. Yay me!

OH! And Amy used Sandi Henderson's fabric from her new line "Meadowsweet 2" ( I used a different color way of her line for the dress I did as a pattern test last spring), and a cute model with fun shoes. You have to settle with my entertainment center as neither my legs are my shoes are cute.

First Day of School Jitters...

I start a beginners quilt class tomorrow.

I am way excited!

Also a little nervous.

Course materials via class 'syllabus':

~sewing machine. check. Although I don't relish the thought of anyone looking down their noses at my 'vintage' case and late 60's model Bernina, I love it and it runs a tight ship.

~cutting mat and ruler. check. Although, it does sport some rather primitive art courtesy of the Liv.

~scissors. check. I have Gingers...that someone (cough cough) cut something round and metal (similar to I dunno...wire!) with so there is a glitch in them.

~rotary cutter. check. double check! Just got a new blade too.

~new needles, power cord and pedal, straight pins...check

~one layer cake, CHECK, my favorite part. It was so hard choosing, but I finally ended up with "fandango" by Kate Spain for Moda. Lots of fun "flirty" colors and forms, but a nice dose of dark brown which if this project goes to fruition will make a nice throw on a chocolate brown leather sofa. mmmmmmm.

I am pretty confident, although I don't have anything new for back to school that I have never been happier to go to class!

Amy B and ACU

I really like to sew.
If you knew my history, you would know that me saying that is nothing short of a miracle.
And I have been collecting projects ( and I know I am not the only one)
Here is a hint of a few things I am working on.
And coincidentally have taken pics of with my phone.
Do you detect a theme?

Liv and Learn....

So today, in the quest for finding my youngest son correct football gear (the first time without the dh didn't work out 100% perfectly), we went to a sporting goods store. Liv wore a cute outfit I made, and a lady in the store freaked over it....and I left my business cards at home. Chalk it up to a learning experience I guess. Sigh.

Lesson of the day. Business cards do you no good if you don't have them on you when you need them!!!

Ok, so Amy Hamberlin (http://katicupcakequiltingco.blogspot.com)just did a quick intro on her new patterns, one of which is called the "Darla Jumper", and since she did so I figured I would be ok to show you the finished project I have been working on. I did my first ever pattern testing!

It couldn't have come at a better time. I always have STUFF going on, however the challenge for me for this last little bit, and probably for the entire summer is to find things that surpasses STUFF and moves onto something I could get into. Something motivating, and even better, something with a deadline.

I had a hoot doing this, hope that the project came out the way it was supposed to, and hope that I get the chance to do it again.

The only draw back was that the Liv cut her hair just days before I wanted to go take pics. Her hair was "puffy" and she tried to comb it and it wouldn't lay down. So the solution logical to her was to simply cut off all of the curls. Thus the hat.