Le Challenge Accepted

As I mentioned last month, my friends Lucy and Nat set up a new blog where they challenge anyone who wants to participate to be creative with a set theme.  You can use any media you choose to portray that theme--fabric, paper, yarn, etc.

For this month (runs from the 15th to the 15th), the girls chose WINGS.

I thought and thought over this, considering things with wings--birds, butterflies, planes; how wings allow you to fly, etc.  I thought about a dress/shirt with flutter sleeves.  I thought about artwork for Emma's walls about flying or finding you way and soaring.  I even considered  a mini quilt featuring a bird of some sort.

But time constraints kept me from all of those fun projects.  So, I settled on something fun and simple and perfect for the upcoming summer.

I made myself some angel wings.

I grabbed an old shirt from my "refashion" pile and a jpeg drawing of angel wings and set to work.

Here's a link I found online with great directions for this, and I did use her wings graphic for my design but it's a really simple project.

I put the drawing under the back of the shirt and somewhat traced the design.  It doesn't need to be perfect at all.

via

Once I was happy with that, I got my applique scissors (any good and sharp scissors will work) and got to cutting.  I just cut holes where I'd drawn the marks on the shirt.  I wasn't overly careful about making them the right size or perfectly round or anything, I just went for it.

When they were all cut, I ran my hands over the holes to stretch out the remaining knit a little and make the holes open up some.

And there you go--I'm an angel from above...

This project is so simple and lends itself to so many interpretations--you could cut out a heart, star, word, etc.  You could cut slits in the sleeves or down the sides.

There you have it--my time-crunched interrpretation of "WINGS."  The girls have announced next month's theme already and it is "MARITIME."  How fun for summer.  Don't you want to play along too??

Finish It Friday

2 Fridays--2 finishes!  And this is a big deal with as little time as I've had to sew lately.  And all of those giveaways to enter!  ;)  There's still time to enter my giveaway.  I'll close it at 8 p.m. EST tonight and announce the winner tomorrow hopefully, but will for sure email the winner by tomorrow.

Wednesday I said I was working on bee blocks for our Rad {Empower} circle.  Shannon asked for low- to medium-value x-plus blocks from Amy's tutorial.  Only bigger to finish out at 12" finished blocks.  There were no restrictions on colors or color placements.

I found that I usually sew a little louder than low-volume prints, so I ended up just pulling some fabrics and cutting and sewing without thinking too much.  After finishing, there might be a few things I'd change had I planned it out, but they're done, they're certainly quiet and they'll help someone be comforted and that's what matters most.

But I also finished up the baby gift I was making for a yet-to-be named friend.  I don't want to blow the surprise until she gets it (although I'm not sure she reads this blog much, lately anyway since she's got a lot going on).

Anyway...a few of us decided to send a friend a few things for her upcoming baby girl's arrival since we live all over the country and I LOVE the Infant Peasant Dress tutorial from Sew Much Ado.  It goes together so quickly and the result is darling.

I used this Honey Honey fabric I bought from Jennifer awhile back.  As I was cutting into it I thought Oh man, I should have made myself something out of this...so I may be on a hunt for more soon.  :)  I added vintage ric rac (from my Great Grandmother's stash) to the hem since I love to add something from my past to baby clothes and gifts.  I just feel it adds a little more to mix the old with the new.  :)  When it was finished, I thought the dress needed just a little more pizzaz, so I added a few rhinestones along the front of the dress. For that added baby bling, you know.  :)

We've got a busy weekend ahead, but I want to wish each of you a good weekend and a Happy Mothers Day to all the Mamas out there.  And for those of you that aren't yet, I wish you love and luck and a heartfelt hug.  I pray your day will come.

Linking up with Amanda Jean.

WIP Wednesday

**If you're here for the giveaway or looking for it--click here.  And if you haven't entered--what are you waiting for???**

Today I've just got a minute to pop in.  This is Teacher Appreciation Week, so we've been busy making our teachers feel as special as they are by serving breakfast on Monday and lunch today.  When you add that in with our normal crazy schedule of softball, karate and everything else--this Mama's ready for some summer vacation!!

Anyway--quick pic of what I'm working on today...
My April (hangs head in shame because I'm NEVER that girl that's late with bee blocks) X+ blocks for Shannon and our Rad {Empower} circle of do. Good Stitches.

Here's one done:

Shannon asked for low- to medium-value prints in any order.

And here's one in progress:

And here's a little sneak peek of something getting made for a special bebe on the way...

Picking the fabric is always the hardest part for me...now to sew!

I will HOPEFULLY be back Friday with some finishes to show off...

What are you up to on this wonderful Wednesday?

Link up with Lee and show us all...

Giveaway Day

Hi y'all!  It's one of my favorite weeks of the year!  Giveaway Week at Sew, Mama, Sew!  It's so fun to see everyone sharing and giving and it's also fun to find new blogs I'd somehow missed before.  

Who doesn’t love a giveaway?  Not this girl.  Y’all know I love to share.  So, let’s get right down to it.  I know everyone participating in Sew, Mama, Sew’s Giveaway Day (and if you’re not, you really should) has a bunch of places to visit today and throughout the week, so I’m not going to take a lot of your time or make you jump through hoops.  I know what Giveaway Day is like on a dial-up connection, okay?!?

So…I am giving away a $25 gift certificate to the Westwood Acres Etsy shop!  Amanda, the owner, is a great girl.  She carries great fabrics in her shop, sews amazing things that she shows off on her blog, and makes me smile on Instagram nearly every day.  

She also has amazing customer service and great shipping fees...can you say $5.85 for shipping now matter how much inside the U.S.??

Here's a glimpse of some items you could get with $25...

Field Study Feathers FQ Bundle from Anna Maria Horner for Free Spirit for $10

2wenty Thr3e Camera Fat Quarter Bundle by Eric and Julie Comstock For Moda--$12.50

              Text The Rainbow Fat Quarter Bundle of Eight for $19.95

                         Stripes That Bind Bundle of 10 Fat Quarters for $24.90

And that's just a taste...she's got individual fabrics and all kinds of other bundles too.

So, how can you win $25 to spend in Amanda's shop?  Just tell me what you like to sew best--quilts, clothing, etc.  I like quilts the best because they don't have to fit anyone, but as the weather warms up (down here in Florida we're just about to start our 6-month-long summer), I find myself wanting a new wardrobe of dresses, skirts and loose-fitting tops.

So, tell me your favorite thing to sew and you’re entered to win.  I love me some followers (so I’m not just talking/typing to myself), so if you’re a follower (new or old), let me know and you get another entry too.  

The contest will be open till Friday, May 10 at 8 p.m.(eastern) and then I’ll use Mr. Random.org to pick a winner.  Winners will be notified through email so make sure I can get a hold of you if you’re a no-reply blogger.  Otherwise I’ll have to choose another winner.

Good luck on all your goodie-winning adventures this week!  

p.s.  This contest is competely sponsored by me and my choice.  I have shopped with Amanda in the past and chose to support her shop for this giveaway.

Finished on Friday

I've got a finish!!  I mentioned on Wednesday that I was pattern-testing for Jenny again.  She keeps me busy with her awesome ideas.  :)

This one was for Emma and it's a tween/teen maxi dress pattern in sizes 8-16.  It's simple, modest, and perfect for summer months.

 I let Emma go through my stash and she picked this striped floral fabric for the main piece.  Then I suggested the white eyelet fabric (cheap from Walmart of all places...) as the accent for the bodice and bottom hem border.  She agreed.  :)

The eyelet was thin and see-through through the holes of course, so I backed it with Kona White and just treated them as one fabric when sewing.

Jenny's pattern was easy to follow and quick to sew.

I added criss-cross straps to the back since the straps were long enough and it just adds another detail.

Emma loves it and so do I!  Jenny said she'll probably release the pattern this weekend, so if you're itching to sew some cutesie girly summer clothes, head over to her site and check this one out.

linking up with Amanda Jean and her Finish It Up Friday Party.

WIP Wednesday

Hello everybody! (Is anyone else hearing Grover from Sesame Street in your head right now??)  I've been thinking about the blog and y'all a lot lately, but honestly, I feel like I'm a work in progress right now.  I don't seem able to get everything done in my allotted hours of the day anymore...

There's been a lot of this

And this

a little of this

I recently went back to this on a part-time basis

Subbing--not teaching...

With a sprinkle of sewing throughout.  I'm pattern testing for Jenny again--this time for Emma.  It's a teen/tween maxi dress and I just need to try it on her and add the straps...

I'll show a finished project in the next few days.  And can I just say that it pains me a little that I am old enough to have a daughter that is old enough to need a dress this long.  Seriously--when did this happen???

In the meantime--don't forget that this coming Monday is Sew, Mama, Sew's Spring Giveaway Day (Week!).  I haven't decided for sure what I'm giving, but there will definitely be something being given away, so make sure to come back Monday if not before!!!

I wear your Grandma’s clothes…

Last week I mentioned I’d bought The Staple Dress pattern by April Rhodes and was busy cutting it out.  I bought a few fashion fabrics last week at JoAnn and I’m ready to build a new summer wardrobe of dresses, skirts and tops.

But before I cut into that $9/yd fabric I wanted to make sure the dress would fit me without any big alterations needed.  So I ran to Walmart and found both a rayon and linen-like fabric for only $3/yd and bought them as muslin options.

I figured if they turned great, then I’d have an extra dress, but if not—I’d only be out $10.  I decided to start  

with the rayon because I felt it better fit this dress style.

I have to say first and foremost that April has written one heck of a pattern.  The directions are simple, clear and straight-to-the point.  She addresses issues you might be concerned with and the fit is spot-on.

All pictures are taken by me with my camera/tripod/timer--please excuse bad photography and less than stellar hair!  

I am usually a medium to large depending on the cut.  In RTW sizes, I’m between a 10 and 12 most of the time.  Based on my measurements, I made a large just to be sure and the fit is great.

She mentions before you shirr the waist not to be alarmed if it looks like a hospital gown and I laughed because it really did.  But I did 4 rows of shirring a little above my natural waist and I think it pulled the dress in just right.

I opted for the straight hem on this dress, but a high-low hemline and directions are included.  I also included the pockets because I think everything should have pockets.  just saying…otherwise I have to hold my phone and that just gets old.  ;)

When I got finished, I really wasn’t sure about it.  Not the dress itself, but the fabric.  I was hesitant whether I had crossed the "vintage-chic" line over into Grandma’s dress.  I asked Chris and he said he liked it, but all I could think of was that Macklemore song Thrift Shop. (This is the clean version.)

So I wore it this morning thinking “I wear your Grandma’s clothes.  I look incredible!”  A friend assured me it was right on trend, but I figured I like it, so I guess it doesn’t really matter anyway.

I wore it today with a belt over the shirring and matching sandals, but I think it would be really cute with boots and a sweater too. 

This dress is simple—it’s a staple.  There’s nothing fancy about it, but it’s just right, you know?  I can see many more of these in my future.  I’d like to try a sleeveless one, but that is gonna require some thinking, and I’ve never doubted that I’m a better pattern-follower than a pattern-maker so we’ll see.

Are you a seasonal creator?  I tend to knit in the fall and winter and get the urge to make dresses and skirts as soon as the weather warms up.  What about you?  

And have you ever used fabric you weren't quite sure about?  Would you Rock Your Grandma's Style?  Don't tell me I'm alone???