MdDS Update and New Projects

I know, I know... it's been too long! Well let me catch you up. In early December I had another recurrence. Most of my days were 3-4, sometimes 5-6. Needless to say, anytime in front of the computer doesn't help much. I did my usual stint of upping my vitamin D, and found something new. I'm sure many of you out there in cyber world have heard of the Whole30 diet? Well in case you haven't I recommend checking out YouTube.  In a nutshell, its super, severely strict Paleo. I followed it to the letter for a full 60 days, not just 30. I was late in the game, but attribute it to one of the things that helped put me back in remission. Yes, just one of the things. The other is all the walking I started doing when I got my new puppy in February. 

Isn't she just the cutest?!!!

Towards the end of April, was the last day I remember having any symptoms. I remember the exact last moment I felt any real symptoms. I was at a Business Boutique Conference and they had some flashing lights on stage that made me a bit fuzzy, but I looked away and covered my eyes for a moment and then felt fine. Don't get me wrong, my symptoms had started diminishing over the past few weeks, where I'd go a few hours without really noticing any movement, but then at night it always seemed to be somewhat present. Then after that day really nothing other than the occasional light-headedness that I usually get from sinus issues.  Honestly, after that conference I was feeling so inspired and positive, it was hard to not feel great!

Christy Wright and Dave Ramsey on stage at Business Boutique Conference 

As for the "new" projects, I'm still attempting to keep up with my painting group. This year I've only managed to complete one project thanks to my symptoms.  This beautiful zentangled piece designed by Golda Rader. "1958 Prom Dress".

Sewing projects... I've gotten only a few done, and not the ones I should be working on...

 



A princess dress for my niece Lulu...

 and one for niece P.J.











They turned out pretty cute and the girls loved them... just in time for Easter.  BUT I still have a wedding dress that needs a makeover. I've been procrastinating thanks in part to my mind going a million miles a minute thinking about all the other things I want to do..... ah... there's the A.D.D!!! hahaha!
But wait... SQUIRREL!!! Here's another new hobby I've been working on since last year...

There's more, but if you want to see them, you'll have to wait till I get them into my Etsy shop! Hopefully that will be soon. I'll keep you  all posted!  <3 umbrellagirl!

New Projects

In the painting and sewing world I'm sure we all have a "dead" zone. You know the projects that are just sitting there waiting to be completed. They pile up fast due to boredom, needing more time, space, supplies, or just life. It happens. The pile up at my house is starting to grate on me though, so I'm devising a plan to get some of my old projects completed.

For Painting:
First, while I plan to continue my membership with the Decorative Painting Society and my local chapters, I'm going to be very choosy on any new projects they offer. What I mean by that is I'm going to only choose items that I really want to do, not just for the sake of doing them for my portfolio.
Second, one of the requirements I plan to require of myself is, it has to be a project that can be completed in a timely manner (90% during the class not including prep time) and when it is finished have a plan for it.... ie "gift" it away.
Third, set aside a few hours per week to just paint and complete some of my older projects. For me this time period will be on one day per week. Wednesday sounds good. Yep, Wednesdays.

Here's a recent project I completed:

This lovely little galvanized watering can was purchased at Ikea. Pattern from Gigi Wright "Sitting Pretty" in The Decorative Painter Issue No. 2, 2013.



For Sewing: 
My biggest problem for sewing is space. I cut my patterns on my self healing mat on the floor. Sad. I've done it at the dining table, but I'm tired of the table always looking cluttered. I've got some space scoped out I could do it in, if I could get rid of a z-rack of wedding dresses. Time for some deep discounting.  In the meantime, the dining table may have to do.
Seriously, I'd love to be sewing a bit everyday. Actual sewing. Prepping patterns and cutting are the bane of my sewing existence. A necessary evil I guess. That in mind, my plan is to spend at least an hour a day, four days a week just working on sewing and design. Most likely it will be more often, as I'm hoping to make this a future source of income. (My own designs of course!)

Here's a project finished for my little niece, P.J. It's completely lined!!!! <3 <3 <3

Pattern Butterick 3762

Bata de Cola

For the past few weeks, I've been working on a BIG project.
I was invited to join a group of Flamenco dancers from Flamencura, at the Austin School of Fashion Design to design my own Bata de Cola skirt. The basics of the skirt are similar to wedding dress design.

How could I say no to that???

With the help of the instructor, I found these lovely fabrics at JoAnn's. The pink daisy fabric also comes in white with yellow or navy, so I think I'll be making another. We used the pattern ordered online at flamencodressmaking.com. to sew up the basic skirt, but changed many aspects of the actual instructions as you'll see if you follow along. This project was time consuming and gave me a real eye opener to the amount of time that goes into an actual wedding gown. (I know hundreds of hours sometimes.) I think I spent about 45 hours or more on this. Of course the second time around will probably go faster. 

Here's the basic skirt sewn up with zipper attached...

 Next come ruffles....

 

 Starting to look more formal...

 You can't tell very well from the above picture, but I did chalk the lines for ruffle placement.

But wait... I don't think that's quite enough ruffles you say???

How about now?
This looks pretty good, but there's still the under ruffles to contend with to give the Bata that lift and heaviness for movement while throwing the skirt around with your feet....so MORE RUFFLES!!!

Using the seam from the underside of the skirt I tacked these stiff ruffles in between the lines. You can also see where I surged the lining to each of the upper parts of the skirt... you don't line the whole skirt, because that makes it too slippery against the body... specifically the legs. You need to be able to move the skirt with your legs and feet.

 Here's what it looks like from the right side All fluffed from underneath. 

 

Next just finish up the waist facing. Add a few left over ruffles to a tank top and
Ta-Da!!! I'm ready to Flamenco!

 

January Sewing Projects and Pattern Making

Several weeks ago I showed you I had bought a bunch of new patterns. This month I decided this is the pattern I'm going to work on as part of my sew 1 garment a month goal.  McCalls M6515.

 My wardrobe really needs some dress pants. I really have none that fit me right now, so I picked this pattern to work on. I'm between sizes on the chart, so I plan to start by making a muslin. Once that's done, I'll have to pick some fabric, as I don't currently have anything in my stash that would be business appropriate. I'm thinking maybe some Black Gabardine. Anybody wish to do a sew a-long?

On another note, this week I'll be starting an advanced pattern making class at the fashion school. Hopefully I'll learn to make my own pants patterns for the future. I haven't yet attempted to make my own sloper, but the instructions in this Textbook: Pattern Making for Fashion Design - 5th Edition- by Helen Joseph-Armstrong are pretty good for creating designs of your own.

Post below and let me know what you're working on sewing this month. I'm starting to look for some ideas for February.

Reversible Twirly Skirts

This Christmas, I decided I was going to sew some skirts for my nieces. I found 2 fabrics I thought the girls would love. Red for Tessa, and Blue for Natalie.

 

I thought about making them from some store bought patterns, but then I found this blog post... MamaMakesStuff.com

I followed the directions mostly...

I used Swedish tracing paper and followed the instructions for measurement

But decided I wanted more twirly in the twirly skirt, so I used 6 inches between the cuts instead of 3.

 Gave the pattern a seam allowance of 5/8 inch but, trust me it really didn't need it.

Then I got caught up in having the skirt lined... or better yet why not make it reversible.

HOW FUN!!!

Here's the results

Not too shabby... Can't wait to see them twirl!

Lulu's Nighty

My sister informed me that my niece, Lulu, wanted a new night gown, so I decided I would make her one for Christmas. I used the size 5 shirt pattern from McCall's 6500 and cut it a little longer. I'm not one for following the complete directions, so I cut it out and just started sewing it up.

I was really shocked...

This shirt looked like it would fit me... not my 4 year old niece! REALLY!!!

I used Flat Felled Seams to keep it comfy on the inside and Cinch up the neckline with some elastic. That helps make it look a bit more little girly...

I added some length to the bottom, but since it was a shirt... maybe too long? I decided it will work. Maybe I'll add some pink stretch lace. I rolled the hem on the sleeves and at the bottom. Being that it's a knit, it ruffled perfectly.  I'll be sure to post a picture of her wearing it.(I have to ship it to her.) Hopefully she loves it. I mean she LOVES Pink!!!

Oh No!!! An Old Hobby Resurfacing???

SQUIRREL!!! Ha ha ha!
One of my co-workers as been bringing in a bag of yarn and crochet hooks to work on projects during lunch hour for the Christmas season. When I saw this I had a flashback to my mother teaching me how to crochet when I was 14. I've made quite a few "hole" blankets as I called them. It's scary, but it got to the point that I didn't even have to look down to do the stitches. Anyway I asked R.J. what she was making - A fancy scarf for her sister. "How did you learn to do that?" I asked her. She'd gotten the pattern from www.ravelry.com for free. FREE?!!!! I had to check this site out! This site is so cool. You can create your own library of patterns you like, track the projects you want to work on, list supplies you have, yarn you want to trade and on and on. All you have to do is set up a FREE Account.
I'd love to make this purse...
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/41/104027375_1fa86bb39f_z.jpg
or maybe this owl sweater...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/3049226397_705fed1872_z.jpg
This would be gorgeous on a skirt hem... reminds me of snowflakes.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2312666003_81af5a70e6_z.jpg

UGH!!!! When am I going to be able to do this??? I have so many want too and Christmas sewing projects to get done right now!!! I really should try to find a way to make all my artsy f artsy into a well paying job. <sigh of wishful thinking> I'm going to have to brainstorm on that one.

Catching Up

I realize I haven't had an entry for quite sometime. Honestly I don't have a great excuse, but sitting 8 hours a day or more at a desk job, then coming home to sit in front of the computer again is really the last thing I want to do. Soon though I will have nothing but time as my job is ending at the end of the month. Initially I was kind of sad about that. I've been there for over 4 years. Now, I'm actually looking forward to all the new crafty time I'll be getting. At least until I decide what to do next.

So... What's been going on? I've continued taking classes at the Fashion School, and I've found a ton of inspiration from the blogging world for a few projects which I'll share here. I'm very excited about a few of these. I picked up a few patterns from my local JoAnn's.

 And I found these in my old patterns from when I was a teenager... plus a few of my Mom's now vintage patterns...

And these were in her stash too.... I call them "The Horrid Moo-Moos". Seriously... What to do with these???

I've gotten some fabric stash from my Grandma and some free... yes FREE off Craigslist! Amazing people trying to pare down their own fabric stash and giving away perfectly awesome fabric!!! Lucky Me!!!!

My FREE stash off Craigslist!

Continuing on... I'm still attending monthly meetings and painting with the local Decorative Painting Chapter. A few things have turned out pretty good, and some, well, some I still need to work on...

"Santa's Toys" Pattern by Susan Stamilio (c) 1998

Recognize this guy? He's painted now!!!

 LOVE! My Papier-mâché Santa turned out pretty good I think!


My goals for the next few weeks are to make a pair of slacks for myself McCall's 6515, a couple nighties for the nieces, as well as a few twirly skirts to give my nieces for Christmas. Also working on the rest of my Christmas list. Some people are so hard to buy or create for... hahaha! I'll let you know how it goes.