Oct. 3rd

Because all of my hobbies apparently aren't good enough, I've decided to take up another. Cross-stitch. I think I might like it even more than embroidery to be honest... I suppose they each have their perks. I love how simple cross-stitch is. No frills.

Anyways, here it is! I got the frame super cheap at one of the thrift stores in town. It only took a few hours to do.

My next project might have to be THIS. A sampler using a quote from Always Sunny.

August 28th

I am an avid Pinterest-er, and as soon as I saw this project I knew it would be useful and something I would want, so when I got engaged it was one of the first DIY's on my list.

Turns out it's super easy, all you need is a small frame, the cardboard that came in the frame (glass not needed, you can find glass-less frames at thrift stores super cheap), felt, and a pushpin. 

Note: I didn't use the white felt at all.

I cut out a piece of felt the size of the cardboard in the frame, figured out where I wanted the ring to hang and embroidered a little leaf pattern around it. 

Stack your embroidered felt on the cardboard and stick your pin in the right place, bending it 1/4-1/2" away from the ball at about a 45 degree angle. Tape the pin to the backside of the cardboard, put it back in the frame, and voila! 

You got yourself a ring frame.

I put mine above the sink so I don't have to wear my ring when I do dishes.

Oct. 5

This last weekend was quite fulfilling.... it was Lawrence's Final Fridays art walk which is always fun, and the weather was lovely. Me and my friends mostly hung out around the Lawrence Arts Center where there were some bluegrass bands, but we made a detour to a gallery right above where I work called Wonderfair which was great. I bought a print by this wonderful artist (though the print I purchased isn't on her site. It has a gold spaceship floating above mountains). 

Saturday had me meeting up with the same lovely friends to go to a local flea market that, though smaller than we had anticipated, I still managed to find a piece to purchase. I got a set of cameo clip on earrings to make sweater clips out of. We then stopped by the farmers market (where I bought some cider doughnuts from Rees's Fruit Farm) and a local thrift store (where I bought a frame for the spaceship print).

Then we split ways and I journeyed alone back to the Arts Center, but this time for their Silent Film Festival! I watched City Lights, Limelight, The Man with the Movie Camera, and Phantom of the Opera. They were all great, but I have to say my favorites were the first two (which were by Charlie Chaplin), especially City Lights. I had a fantastic time, though it's a shame not more people are interested in silent movies... it would have been great to have a friend tag along.

Me hanging out in the park between films.

Tonight I have had quite a bit of spare time, so I made up the sweater clip I bought the earrings for. I think it turned out pretty good! I really need to find more excuses to wear things like this.

Aug. 10

I don't have too much time for an upload today, I just got myself two jobs for the fall! I'm pretty excited about both of them though. Last week I decided that I needed to get on the Sorbetto pattern bandwagon, especially after seeing The Sew Weekly's 7 Days of Sorbetto. I especially love the sleeve draft she did!

I had already made a skirt from some vintage fabric, but I haven't worn it too much because I can't find tops to match. I had extra fabric so a Sorbetto it became! You can hardly tell it isn't a dress, though does anyone know a good way to keep shirts tucked in? 

It is a beautiful day here! I hope everyone has a good week.

Aug. 4

I have decided that I both have too much fabric and I haven't been practicing my pattern drafting skills I learned last semester. This is a convenient situation in that it has a very clear solution.

I decided I wanted to make a sundress with some pretty navy gingham I got super cheap at Hancocks this summer. I have also really been loving how many backless dresses I've seen online this year, so I tried my luck with drafting a bodice with a normal front, but a twisted up back. It took me three muslin bodices to work it out but I'm so happy with it! The only things I would change are to lower the neckline a bit and make the twist of the back low enough to hide a bra. I thought I had it measured correctly for this but I was apparently waaaay off. I promise I don't draft while under the influence. The skirt could be fuller as well.

Also, if I were to make this again I would draft it so that instead of a twisted bodice, I would simply gather the back up with some fabric, kind of like a bow. The twisted bodice really led to some interesting lining techniques that in the end worked very well, but were fairly time consuming.

I had to sew the lining to the back piece separately before doing anything with the bodice front since I wouldn't have been able to twist it after it was sewn together. Sewing the lining in the front required me to first sew up the neckline and armholes, then kind of sandwich the lined back piece in between the bodice piece and it's lining, sewing the shoulder seams and side seams through all the layers and then turning inside out. I should have taken a picture but I doubt you would have been able to see what was going on through all of the gingham. 

I also admit that as of the taking of these pictures, the bottom of the skirt was only serged. I will need to hem this baby up tonight maybe.

But now on to some pictures!

July 31

I had a good day.

It started out with me working on a drafting project and anticipating a BBQ date with some good friends in Kansas City, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, ended with me moving a friend into her new place aaaaaaaaaaaallll afternoon. Hard work, but well worth it because I got a margarita out of the deal. 

Just kidding...

...but seriously... 

...that's only part of the reason. The real reason was because I could give her her housewarming present! One of the secrets of my last post no less!

This beautiful creature is the product of my dear friend's creativity. His name is Craptor and he is her constant companion through the drudgery that is life. Here are the two of them with some other friends:

Visit her Tumblr for more Craptor and other joys.

Hopefully tomorrow I can finish my newest sewing project and get a post up. Finger's crossed!

July 23

This certainly seems to be a busy blogging week... maybe I have too much spare time... Regardless, I have another finished project that I am excited about. For years (seriously) I have had a cool picture frame with nothing in it. It has even been on display for a good portion of that time... without a picture in it. Maybe I felt that would inspire me to figure out what to put in it? No idea.

Part of the reason it has been empty for so long is that the size is unusual.. how many people have a 2.25" square picture laying around? I figured it would be a good time to try out a little embroidery.

I have had some Star Trek coloring book pages on my computer for a while with the intention of using them as embroidery patterns, and they were already square, so I simply needed to resize it to fit the frame. I'm super pleased with how it looks in the frame, though it's difficult to take a decent picture of it.

I also used a new transferring technique. Since I was using a dark fabric, I simply traced the pattern with transfer paper right on it. It worked great and the detail was really good, though if I were working on it for more than a day or two I would be afraid it would rub off. I actually didn't even wash it off of my fabric and you can barely tell that it's there in this picture.

July 22

This last Christmas my fantastic friend Jost painted me a picture, but alas, German paper is different sized than ours and I haven't been able to find a frame for it.... until now!

One of my neighbors just moved out and I saw a lonely little backless picture frame leaning against the dumpster the other day. The glass was still there, and the wood had been kind of speckle spray painted yellow and black. So Perfect!

Yesterday I cleaned up the glass and tried to figure out what to matte the picture with and use as the backing and came up with cutting a grocery bag to the size of the glass and painting it black with india ink. The india ink didn't end up being dark enough so I just spray painted it, which worked pretty good. Then I just centered the painting on the grocery bag, taped it on and put it in the frame! Easy peasy. I did have to put some new hanging hardware on the back (it was originally set up for a horizontal picture), but that's not hard at all.

I am stoked that this painting is finally on my wall. Isn't it amazing?

July 17

It is hot hot hot in Lawrence! My goodness, we are in an excessive heat warning for a whole week! I'm pretty sure air conditioning will be high on my list of necessities when I finally get a new vehicle. For now I'm just staying in side embroidering and re-reading the last Harry Potter book in preparation for watching the movie tonight. (I'm excited.)

While I was watching Twin Peaks last week like a mad woman I was also finishing up an embroidery which I'm pretty happy about. Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet, which seems to be the story of my life.

The rocket girl pattern is by Cherry Hollow designs, and I just took the planets from a coloring book page. Here are a couple detail shots:

June 26

And also: Mystery Science Theater 3000 embroidery project finished.

June 25

Today I went to Old Navy and found some super cheap clothes on the clearance rack... I bought two blue turtleneck sweaters for $.47 apiece and two pairs of green corduroys for $.97 apiece (along with a pair of twill shorts for 17.50, but we'll focus on the big deals today I think okay?).

The pants are way too wide legged for me to want to wear, and that would be too much green for me to wear, but the waist fits really well, so I have already cut one up in an attempt to make a skirt (which may or may not be successful) and the other I am just going to make into shorts.

The shirts I'll probably cut up to use for something. I should have had the foresight to purchase them in my size, but I grabbed two sizes larger to give me more fabric to work with. I have already cut a sleeve off of one of them to make a bracelet using this tutorial that I've been admiring for a little while. I got a little carried away and cut up a couple of my other shirts to make some in other colors as well! I also made a necklace.... we'll see how much I wear these this summer.

Now I need to figure out what to do with the rest of these poor shirts I have destroyed!

Also: This is why I love Old Navy!

June. 8

Last fall, a friend gave me a lovely gift in the form of a Coyote penis bone from The Evolution Store. It just came in a vial, so I haven't known what to do with it other than keep it in its box on my bookshelf, which is no place for such a treasure.

To properly display it I bought an empty glassless picture frame from the Salvation Army and nailed in two tiny picture frame nails about a quarter of the way down on the inside where they can't be seen. I used thick button thread and tied a slipknot around the top of the vial, then tied each side of the thread to a nail, keeping the vial centered.

The result?

Jan. 26

School has finally started again. I forgot how much work German was going to be, it's a good thing I have my own personal tutor living under the same roof as me! I think we are going to do the dorky thing where we put German labels on everything in the apartment. My sewing class seems like it will really start slow (it's an introductory prerequisite class) but after this first project, (a skirt) we are moving on to a button up blouse and then pants. I have never really done cuffs or that many button holes, and I've never done pants at all. I'll definitely be learning some things anyways. I'm also in a pattern making class which I hear is actually pretty difficult. Hopefully it isn't too bad though.

A day or so ago I took some pictures of a couple skirts I made. One has been up in my shop for quite a while, but I thought new pictures could do it good. The other is brand new. The pictures for it didn't turn out quite as well as I would have liked, so I might take some more on Friday.

Find it here

Find it here.

Jan. 22

This third project was made from the Simplicity 2282 pattern. There are lots of options here and I chose the cap sleeves and added the peplum. I figured it would have the perfect vintage feel for a particular fabric I've had for probably years now. The print is so big that I hadn't found anything to use it for this whole time.

I did make one big change to the pattern, which was to alter the neckline to a sweetheart, which is infinitely better than the super high one they used. Even with that it's still almost too high for my liking, next time I'll open it up quite a bit more I think. It's not very easy to see, but the front of the dress is attached to the lower skirt and it wraps all around to the back, with a side front and a back piece up a bit higher. This was a pretty difficult part to sew, and I think using the peplum attachment made it harder. Next time I make it I'll try to separate the bottom of the skirt from the front and make it more tier sided, not unlike THIS dress.

Today I'm working on a couple skirts to sell and maybe I'll cut something else out for myself. We'll see.

Jan. 21

Alright, I also very recently put together a pencil skirt out of a purple twill that I just adore. I used it to make a dress that I never wore (though I probably still have it in pieces somewhere) and I'm glad there was enough left for this skirt.

It's from the Vogue 8603 pattern and I just did the basic skirt without any gathers or frills. I was initially drawn to it because of the cool side gathers, but to be honest I don't think I'm going to do them any time soon. It would require my shirt to be tucked in and I find with this skirt that's not so much of a good look. Maybe if it sat a bit higher on my waist?

Ultimately, it was a good pattern! It was easy to put together, aside from little mistakes I made that the pattern can't be blamed for. I also wish it would lay a bit flatter on the front, but there may be something I can do about that. There are a few more slim skirt patterns that I think I'll try before I use it again... but definitely not a bad pattern. I do think I'll continue with a slimmer silhouette like this; up until now my skirts have always been fuller and loose.

Tonight, pizza. Tomorrow, the dress!

Jan. 20

Today was supposed to be my first day of school but it's a snow day! We got quite a bit yesterday and I believe we are supposed to get more today... which means I have all the way until Tuesday before I need to worry about school at all. Good good.

I seem to do my projects in phases.... In December I was crazy about needlework, then it was stamping and cards, and now all I want to do is sew. I want to start wearing more handmade items (with the goal of having enough to take part in Self-Stitched September this year) so I made a top, a skirt, and a dress. I make too many dresses. This must be fixed with more tops and a pair of pants as soon as I can wash the fabric for them.

Anyways, I'm going to divide them up into separate posts, so here is the top first.

I made it from Simplicity 4111, a Built by Wendy pattern. There was only one part of the instructions that didn't make sense, which was putting in the front placket. It seemed to have something backwards, so I just did it on my own. Next time I might omit the facing in the neckline... I can't decide if I don't like it being so much stiffer than the rest of the shirt or if I like the stiffness to keep the neckline from gaping, since it's pretty low. 

I really wanted to make it because I've never made a top that I wanted to wear, and also I need more plaid. I just love plaid, what can I say? I was worried that I would need to match it up but it doesn't seem to make a whole lot of difference. I'm not even sure how one would match it up to be honest. We'll save that for another day.

I made a review at Sewing Pattern Review and I also uploaded it to Burda Style.

Dec. 4

Gee wiz, so it's already December folks! I've been a busy little girl this week... I had a big test on Thursday and I have a big Microbiology project due and a final on Monday, not to mention a couple other papers and stuff for Etsy. Whew! I've started to realize that I should have made more red dala horses and less in the other colors... I haven't sold any white ones yet at all! I think those ones are pretty.

I've also added a few new things to the shop, a favorite being Star Trek communication badges!

It feels good to have geeky things in the shop.

I'm going to work on some new ideas for the shop when I'm not doing schoolwork, so be sure to check it out!

Nov. 16

This is what my bed has looked like for the last three evenings or so...

A big ol' mess of ribbons, felt, and embroidery floss.

But look at the outcome! I'd say it's worth it, and I've been able to catch up on this season of Mythbusters while I embroider.

 

All to prepare myself for the craft show next weekend and hopefully some success in the shop!

In other news, my red dala horse ornament got to the front page of Etsy the other day! I'm super excited, especially since the season is just starting. Unfortunately it was up there at two in the morning and I didn't get any sales from it, but I got tons of favorites and views. Fingers crossed that I'll get in some more treasuries and get up there again before Christmas!

Oct. 31

I said I would have something to show for this weekend and by golly I do. No, it isn't a finished garment, but it is a little group of adorable tapir pincushions! And I really made them a couple weeks ago, but I just now took pictures of them and put them on Etsy. That counts in my book! Two are happy and one is terribly sad. Poor fella.

And of course, I've been collecting more recipes! I fully intend to make my own french toast bagels with this recipe (though I'm putting some cinnamon chips in mine) once my package is all eaten which is a whole new ballgame for me. I also have a recipe for honey wheat sandwich bread that I'm going to try out once I finish my loaf. I'll definitely document the bagels, we'll see about the other.

Oct. 16

It would seem as if I've been doing stuff since I posted last... I had my first sale (the blue pinstripe dress from this post) which is pretty exciting. I also made a couple new skirts that I posted up on my shop earlier today.

 

 It's kind of exciting to be able to sell things that I make.

The other day I was such a homemaker... I baked pumpkin applesauce muffins, and tried three new recipes! The first was guacamole because we had an extra avocado, and that turned out great on top of some black re-fried beans... yum. I'm not much of a chip person so we don't have any in the apartment, so I baked my own lime tortilla chips with some corn tortillas I had which were great too. I may need to bake them a bit longer next time though.

Then I made some breaded ravioli from some frozen ones I bought at Costco. Breaded ravioli is one of my favorite things and I'm excited to know how to make it now. I may post the recipe here soon.