So-So on Sew-Alongs

I've never done one... I keep reading about them and I always doubt myself on being able to keep up with them. Between work, and skating, and my boy-toy, and my other project goals I've set, the idea of adding another project with time restrictions freaks me out a little. However, I think I found one that's theme has peaked my interest, and has a big enough time window for me to feel secure enough jump in on. It's the Fall for Cotton Sew-Along hosted by Lucky Lucille and By Gum, By Golly.



Premise is that the fabric needs to be 100% cotton and the finished product needs to be a vintage look. From the sound of it, it can be either a vintage pattern, repro vintage pattern, or turn a modern pattern into a vintage look. Sounds easy enough to me! I've had my eye on one of the Butterick reproduction vintage patterns, B4790, and I believe it's on sale at Joanne's right now. I guess it's time go pick it up. I've seen a version of it in gingham that I loved. But a fun, ditsy floral could be adorable too.

Then again... I've already started planning out my Halloween costume and I know this pattern, Butterick B5281, would work for it. Yes! That's right! A Rockford Peach! Shorten the skirt, add a collar, buttons, and a Baseball Bat... Bing Bang Boom! Maybe this is the perfect time to make it. Plus, I feel like a cute little peach dress would easily become a staple in my wardrobe. Note to self, patches must be removable!

 

I guess it's time to start fabric shopping!!!

Dino-mite!

The upcoming Dinosaur themed contest has turned into quite a nostalgic project for me! The dinos... the characters... the colors... makes me want to pop on Nickelodeon or something. If these rockin' little T-Rex's ever got their own show, I'd watch it... just sayin!

I'd say I'm about a quarter of the way through, still so much work to do! I sketched out all the characters on paper and am using my tablet to turn them into vectors in Illustrator. That's right! Figured out the basics of how to use my Splash!!! It's saving me piles of time, but I'm sure I have MUCH more to learn. Here's where I am currently...

(Apologies for the poor quality shot... snapped a pic with my phone on the way out the door this morning.)

Half the band is complete! Still a few more guys to go. I have a few different ideas for the background ranging from super simple to preeeeetttyyy complicated. Leaning towards the more complicated plan but not sure if there'll be time this week. I may have to give up sleep!

Designing on an empty stomach!

Putting together my Dim Sum design made my stomach growl!!! I really should have eaten before sitting down at my computer. I have a tendency to either completely lose track of time, or I'm too stubborn to step away from my work until it's done. Today was a subtle mix of both. ORDER UP ON THE DIM SUM!!! It's ready to go! 

Like with the hangers, I was trying to add in some retro elements, like the large repeating dots, shapes being slightly askew to add depth, and simple geometric shapes. I'm pretty sure it's successful in portraying Dim Sum... still haven't gone out to try it. Maybe next date night. 

Guess what came in this week!!! That's right! My Pixel Pinstripe and all my samples! SOOO VERY EXCITED! Looks great! Can't wait to wear it as a dress! 

I feel like it was a pretty smart move to pick up a color guide swatch. It's already proving itself useful for the upcoming Dino design. That's next on my to-do list! My handsome boyfriend bought me a Wacom Tablet way back at Christmas. I've fiddled around with it some, but really don't know the first thing about how to use it. Promised him that this time around, I'm gonna design with it. Fingers crossed! I'm nervous I'm gonna get frustrated again and go back to drawing with the mouse. Talk about tedious!!! If anyone out there has any advice, I'd love some right about now.

Nom Nom Pencil Case

Here's to hoping I did my math right and used my words right! Uploaded my design tonight. So tired... and want cookies so bad! NOM NOM NOM!!!

I will say though, it was a headache trying to get it to upload properly. It wasn't recognizing the background. I'm sure it's a simple solution that I just can't find due to fried brain issues. 

WELL! Still more work to be done tonight... and it's not fun stuff. BOOOOO!!! HISSSSSSS!!!

CRAFTERNOON

The Super Secret Craft Time Society was a huge success. We had our first Crafteroon brunch at my place this weekend. There were piles of Sublime Stitching patterns to choose from, all the colors of the rainbow in embroidery floss, and a starter hoop for everyone to add to their craft collection. 

There were several in the group that had never tried embroidery and were worried about the complexity of it. It didn't take long for all fears to subside. Almost everyone left with a completed design! 

So glad everyone was able to make it, and even happier they all had fun. While I was in charge of craft supplies, they were all instructed to bring snacks and drinks. They filled the table with pastries, pastas, and premixed bottles of Mimosas! I didn't even know that was a thing! Yes, lazy way out... but perfect for picnics and beach trips. VERY good to know. 

On a fabric/designing note... Finished my first cut and sew pattern! I found the hardest part writing the instructions. I could easily show someone how to do it, but words are hard! I don't know if it's simple enough or overly simple... am I missing steps... is it even going to work?! I guess time will tell! I'll have to try it out for sure!

Also, my order finally shipped with all my samples and my pixel pinstripe design! There's finally more than one design in my shop. YAY! It's not empty any more!!! So while I wait for the arrival of all my goodies, I'll cut out all my pattern pieces and set up my sewing area. Can't wait!

Win Some, Lose Some...

They can't all be winners, and that's 100% okay in my book. My Fireflies placed somewhere in the middle of all the entries. There were some AMAZING designs. A bunch left me wondering, "Why didn't I think of that?" So kudos to them. I'm staying busy, and keeping on track with my goal of producing one design per week. My Cut & Sew pencil case is sketched and planned out, just have to get to work on turning it into a real thing! This is my first time attempting anything like this. Gotta admit, a little scared and excited to see if I can do it. 

Also took a look ahead at the Dim Sum color palette... LOVE. I've never had Dim Sum, I might need to go experience it before I work out a design. The reality is, I'll use any excuse I can to eat... ohm nom nom!!!

Tomorrow is the first meeting of the Super Secret Craft Time Society! Very excited!!! We'll be stitching and bitching as we sip on mimosas! Pictures will most definitely follow.

SomeBUNNY's Birthday

Today is Rambo Bunny's birthday! I got an email from the woman who helped me foster, and later adopt this cute little guy, reminding me that today was the day. So he got himself a little hat and some carrots to celebrate! The little monster is 1 year old!

We brought him home as foster December last year. I convinced my boyfriend it was just a temporary thing, but in reality I planned on keeping him the whole time! Once our little Punchy fell in love, there was no way we could ever pry the two apart. The two of them are inseparable and spend all day grooming and snuggling each other.

We love these little buns! Happy birthday Rambo Bunny!

Simplicity 1803: My Own Modcloth!

A while back I found the website Make This Look and fell in love with the idea. I used to spend so much time lusting over the dresses I couldn't afford, never stopping to think... "Wait... I know how to sew. I could make that!." I was practically raised next to a sewing machine, sewing is in my blood! (My mom is an incredibly talented woman and has made some of the most gorgeous window treatments the world has ever seen.)

I found my first project to make about a month ago. I saw the Soft Serve dress on ModCloth, found the the SAME PRINT (whoa!) in purple on Fabric.com (it was on sale AND had a 30% off coupon!), and already had Simplicity 1803 sitting in my pattern bin at home! I knew I had to go for it!
The pattern came together pretty quickly. I learned my lesson from the last dress I made, as well as reviews from LLadybird's Post here, and took the time to test the ease with a muslin. I'm so glad I did, because this pattern also had 4" of ease built into my size. It would have been far too much! Made a few tiny changes in the bodice and it fits perfectly. This is probably the most comfortable dress in my closet now... aaaaand the cutest too! 


I ordered my Pin Stripe design from SpoonFlower and waiting for it to arrive. I think I'll do the same pattern but in View B with short sleeves. Anxiously waiting!!!

Side note: Has anyone out there ever used the paid app for SewingKit? Trying to find a way to keep my pattern info on my person, wondering if its worth it...

SO GOOD!

The winning streak continues! I don't know if I've ever been more proud of my team! They played like champs this weekend. Everything finally clicked on the track... everyone carried their weight... everyone stayed positive.... what an incredible win! The whole game was neck and neck. I think we had a tied score 3 or 4 times through the course of the game. That's pretty rare. Heading into the fourth and final quarter, it was already established that, win or lose, we were all proud of each other and what we had accomplished. I have never seen my team play so cohesively EVER before. Incredible. There are pictures over here if anyone's interested.

Pregame, I always stay in the night before a game and relax. So Friday night was spent huddled up in my apartment, watching New Girl, making a game day mix, and working on my new fabric design! The "Fashion" contest was so vague I felt like anything could really go... so I did hangers in a 50's boomerang style. The bright orange was completely by accident! I typed the wrong # in and completely fell in love with it. I consider it another win!

Post game, a little recoup time... even though I should have been lounging back, I was still in production mode from the past week... I broke out the next batch of fabric and made a new dress!!! I just have to finish cleaning up the rogue threads and sew on a hook and eye. Planning on wearing it to work tomorrow. I'll make my co-workers take pictures.

And last but definitely not least... I finally sat down to watch Sharknado! It's just as TERRIBLE and HILARIOUS as I thought it would be. We ended up adding some categories to the drinking game cuz it was just too ridiculous. So many things to laugh at!

What a great weekend :)!

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!

This girl right here is having the most exciting morning of all time!!! While sitting in morning rush hour traffic, I received an email on my way to work informing me of the good news... an email titled...

You won our 8-Bit Fit Contest!

I should have pulled over to the side of the road, it would have been much safer than what followed! I only read the title and then proceeded to call all my favorite people. I hadn't read any of the details so all I could say was, I think I made top ten, I may have won, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON BUT I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT!

 It wasn't until I powered up my computer at work that I actually read the email, quickly followed by Spoonflower's newsletter. I'm completely beside myself! My design is a real thing!!! I'm so making a dress in this!!!

 So what happens next?! I'm not 100% sure but it's gonna be good for sure. We popped a bottle of champagne at work had a few donuts and it's back to the grindstone. I'm hoping to parlay my good fortune into this Saturday's game. My team has our first bout of the season!!! Come on Brawlers! Let's start a winning streak!!!!

 PS. 

Sorry for all the !!!!. Really can't help myself right now!!!

Wedding Dress Complete!

Welp! I finished the dress just in the nick of time!!! I had to make lots of adjustments but here it is... 
I used the Cynthia Rowling pattern, Simplicity 1873. I cut a size 14 the but ease in the bust was just way too much. There are a few extra darts on my version. Next time I'll mix a 12 and 14. I think that will solve the problem.

Either way... I love love love this dress. It's comfy and cute! Can't wait to make more. I have some ice cream cone fabric and bumper cars. Once I complete those I'll let myself splurge on more fabric. I have a tendency to pile up on the fabric and fail on the follow through of sewing them. In all fairness though, picking the fabric is by far the very most fun part!

Oh... and PS, the wedding was a complete train wreck! At least I looked DAMN GOOD!

Little Victory

I'm getting myself back in the habit of celebrating the little victories, and out of the habit of stressing over the little hiccups in life. Little victory... my Road Trippin' design placed 29th out of 150. Not bad! Onward and upward!