As a Quiet Little Seedling

As I sit here, I feel as if I am ready for 2010 to end, I find many moments to ponder. Oh, there are many happy times, but a few sad and painful too. I feel much like the seedling in Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem 'The Seedling' waiting for the new year.

AS a quiet little seedling
          Lay within its darksome bed,
To itself it fell a-talking,
      And this is what it said:

"I am not so very robust,
          But I'll do the best I can;"
And the seedling from that moment
          Its work of life began.

So it pushed a little leaflet
          Up into the light of day,
To examine the surroundings
          And show the rest the way.

The leaflet liked the prospect,
          So it called its brother, Stem;
Then two other leaflets heard it,
          And quickly followed them.

To be sure, the haste and hurry
          Made the seedling sweat and pant;
But almost before it knew it
          It found itself a plant.

The sunshine poured upon it,
          And the clouds they gave a shower;
And the little plant kept growing
          Till it found itself a flower.

Little folks, be like the seedling,
          Always do the best you can;
Every child must share life's labor
          Just as well as every man.

And the sun and showers will help you
          Through the lonesome, struggling hours,
Till you raise to light and beauty
          Virtue's fair, unfading flowers.

Jammies Sewalong Pattern

I am contemplating using the free pattern at Simplicity, it's part of their Sewing 101. I would be simple and quick to make for the pajama sewalong.

It's a simple pj pant, in Misses', Men's and Teens' sizes.

Basically x-small, small, medium, large and x-large.

How can you beat a pattern that is simple and has only 2 pattern pieces!

Not sure about sewing a top as of yet.

Now if I could only find the fabric before Thursday.

Jammies Sewalong

Ann of Gorgeous Things is hosting a pajama sew along on Thanksgiving weekend. Sounds like fun!!



Genie's Skirt

Here I go again, I have become captivated by Genie's Skirt at Anthropologie.ue. It is so cute, and in gray corduroy - my oh so favorite color this fall!!

Genie's Skirt

"Pilcro's cord fit-and-flare skirt rises like a dream from a flowing hemline into a contouring pencil frame."

Could you just see this looking pretty with a classic cardigan sweater set, lovely tights and retro heels?!!! Corduroy in a flirty ruffle-y feminine 8 gore fitted skirt!! And how did they get the corduroy to cooperate and create that flirty ruffle?

Why do I do this to myself? Find something there is no pattern exactly like it and feel as I have to make it. (feeling a little down about having to draft or alter a pattern - yet again)

Ok lets see - the Genie skirt is an 8 gore fitted pencil skirt with ruffle/flounce attached hem, 21 inches long, the front hem is slightly higher than the back hemline, traditional waistband, side zipper, back yoke and topstitching details.

The contenders are...

New Look 6433

View C

This pattern is in my stash, but I have never sewn it. I like the hemline, although it goes up in the back also that would need altered. The length is much longer than 21 inches (21" is a bit to short for me anyway) but it could be shortened to hit at the knee. I would need to create the 8 gores and remove the darts, add the yoke and then add a waist band.

Simplicity 3881

View A

I have sewn view 'A' a few times and it fits and flatters my figure. The skirt it's self is a slight A-line and the ruffle does not have the oomph the Genie does. The hemline would need altered lifting the front up a bit, create 8 gores removing the darts, add the yoke and waist band.

After work I may pull out my Burda mags and see if there are any close patterns. BUT if you know of one that might work please oh please let me know!!!

My Son's Vest'ed Interest 2

Sorry for the sad pictures and all the wrinkles but I had to grab a shot when I could and that happened to be after he had wore it all night long. (and he has the bottom button undone - this what I get after a late night and a "come on mom hurry up I am tired")

Here's a review on Simplicity 2870

Pattern Description: Project Runway Men's lined vest. Vest with front darts, 6 front buttons, various optional pockets and back tab or back buckle .
Pattern Sizing:
AA has sizes 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and BB has sizes 44, 46, 48, 50, 52. I made a size 44 for my son.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, it was exactly what he wanted.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Somewhat, I did not use the pocket instructions. Nothing that stood out as incorrect, but the welt pocket was just to fiddley - so I use a tutorial online at Burda Style One Piece Welt Pocket
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the various options and styles that make this men's vest versatile.
Fabric Used:
Crepe backed satin from fabric.com and some fancy silver buttons and poly gray lining from JoAnn's.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
No real alterations other than the one piece welt pocket (which is awesome by the way!) I did line the satin with poly fusible interfacing - but would use woven fusible instead next time.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, but not sure when it all depends on if my son asks for another one.
Conclusion:
Great vest with many style options.

Fashion Looks 1

After loving the look from the blog Fashion Under $100 , I was surfing during lunch at the office (shhh, don't tell - ok?!) and happened upon Coldwater Creek's outfits section and fell in love with a look that I would call 'Relaxed Chic'.

I know I have most of this already in the closet, but not at the Coldwater Creek prices. And of course adding my little twist here and there.

I went shopping last weekend at the outlet and found these cute Nine West gray suede slouchy boots, oh so comfy!!

These denim leggins from ANA at JCPenney's are so comfortable and not overly tight at all!! I was always saying I would never wear leggings again, but once I read the reviews and then tried them on I was sold! Yes they are a sinful purchase for fall - I got 3 pairs one of each color black, denim and gray. I know your saying "WHAT you did not sew a pair?" but on sale they were cheaper than I could make them.

Thrifted a long gray cardigan just last month, that looks very much like this one. Although I am not as tiny as this lovely lady, but it does look quite nice on me if I do say so myself.

Now here's the sewing part - I NEED some long sleeve tops and I am thinking that maybe Burda's Tee pattern 8244 (out of print) might work (it's in my pattern stash).

Or Hot Patterns Plain and Simple Tee

in a deep charcoal or aubergine knit.

Last fall I bought a long silver and gold necklace at Avenue, and some nice silver hoops will top this look off.

 

Fun Fashion Blog

I am sure you have seen the blog Fashion Under $100, I am a stalker of Dana's!! I can spen hours looking at the archives, drooling over styles of the stars. And with her tips I can afford to look as good too!!

Right now I am obsessed with Dec 2008 Kim Kardashian's look

Although the look is from 2008, it is still so classy for today! Great weekend look or with a tweak here and there I can pull this off on a casual Friday at work.

I do think I will make a few changes here and there, like darker jeans maybe med/dark wash.

I ordered the new pattern by Hot Patterns - The Dressy Jean. Oh, and I can't wait to get it!!!

I already have this Target Heather Gray Tank.

And on it's way from JCPenney's is The Worthington V-Neck Cardigan in black. Love the boyfriend cardy look with pockets. Or the Hot Patterns Riviera Cardi would be cute! hmmmmm, gonna have to think about getting that pattern.

Sitting in my closet are a pair of Nine West Oxfords, I bought these last year at the outlet store during Chrismas.

And the scarf is lovely, but I want to make a serger scarf using decorative threads in white, black and grays. They are so fun and easy to do! I made a sample in browns and gold, but forgot to take pictures before my son's girlfriend saw it and there was no way of keeping it from her - her favorite color is brown.

More on this I promise...

My son's 'Vest'ed Interest

My son has me working on Simplicity 2870

Men's lined vest, we are working on a vest with the collar, lower welt pockets and back tab.

In this fabric Silver polyester satin

I have it all cut out and ready to sew up.

Birthday Goals - Why I ask?

I was reading up on my blog list and Allie at My Wardrobe Today post about a '40 before 40' list. And this made me think - Would I?
Uhmm, nope! Not this 45 year old - nope no '50 before 50' list for me.

I am not so crazy about making list to fulfill before a certain age. It’s more apt to lead to disappointments when you hit your birthday deadline. I remember all to well my 30th and what an emotional journey it was when I realized that I was no were near to what the person I wanted to be or had envisioned to be. It was horriable!! Crying and a pity party, not at all a pretty sight.

But after the realization that my life is an ever growing and changing experience I made peace with myself. The idea that where I am at this moment and time and all that I DID accomplish to this point is more meaningful than what I didn’t accomplish.

I am not saying that goals are a bad thing, but as long as they are not so out of reach or to concrete, goals should be achievable. Goals are good to have in your horizon to help you move along, but life can seriously change at a moments notice and you don't have much control over how affects you.

Plus all the negativity of placing a certain age within a 'To Do' list can seem depressing. I never want to limit myself, and at any age I want to do, see and achieve what ever makes me happy!! Life is way to short, live it with your heart not by a list of what to do next...

Famous Words Of Lincoln

"You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time."

It's an age old saying that still holds true today!!!

This blog is about me and the things that bring me happiness. The posts may or may not be something everyone likes to reads, and that's fine. I try not to post politics, religion, or negativity - cause I figure if I have nothing good to say then I will try not to say it. I talk about sewing, fashion, crafts, quilting, cooking and life in general - which by no means is because I am an authority on these subjects, heck no! I post because I am a shy person and this is a way of sharing what I like with the world but still staying within my comfort zone. I am glad that those few who read do enjoy what they read. I hope that what I have to share is fun, entertaining and maybe helpful in some way. I have met some fantastic 'blogger' friends that I would have never met without this blog and hope to continue to grow my new found friendships. I did have someone disagree and they did not like what I posted and to that I say 'sorry, but it's just my blog - a simple little blog'.

I guess what I am saying with this post is - I hope you enjoy what you read here, and if not that's perfectly ok.

It it looks funny...

then maybe it is. I am just changing up a few things on the blog, so if it looks funny then it is and I am trying to tweak a few things and change over to a gmail account and basically some house cleaning if you will - of said blog.

see ya in a bit and hopefully I haven't deleted the wrong things!

When one blog leads you to another and then another....

While catching up on blogs that I follow I was reading Inside Out Style by Imogen were she had posted 'Weekend Reading: Trends, Stress and Personal Style'  with links to blogs that I also read but somehow had missed the blog post on Sal's blog Aready Pretty. I had missed reading the post 'Wardrobe Cycling', which by the way was awesome! After reading the post I got curious about the Out Fit List that Sal keeps. She explained how she keeps a simple list of outfits that help her stay on top of her wardrobe making her time in the mornings much more managable.

Well, this got me to thinking, should I try to make a list of the items in my closet. A scary and daunting task I am sure, but as I investigated deeper I found more and more on the subject of wardrobe inventory. So upon the idea of creating a list I wondered if there were any spreadsheets or helpful files in cyberspace. I happened upon this Wardrobe Inventory PDF from Virtuous Weddings (not to sure what a wardrobe plan has to do with planning a wedding, but then again it's a good inventory list to use for one's closet). There is a PDF on Fengshui for your closet with a list you fill in, the Buget Fashionisa has a wardrobe check list, and 4-H wardrobe planning PDF. And then I found phone apps - like this iPhone app called the Pocket Closet and the Android app for smart phones called MyCloset. I never would have thought that something like that was out there, but it is, how cool!!

Delightful Bohemian Posh!!

Ruby Mines turquoise wrap bracelet tutorial 

 is absolutely beautiful fun.

I think this bracelet made with garnet would be stunning!!

It keeps staring at me....

Yea I know what's up?? Well, the watermelon quilt is sitting there staring at me like an evil little child taunting me knowing I am at a loss as to how I should quilt it. I am at a loss, a total loss! I could just quilt it like they did in the pattern, that would be ok. But I just don't know, what would make the watermelon slices stand out?

Have you ever thought you had it going great and then at the last minute you feel as you haven't got a clue??

Watermelon Shoefly Quilt Pieced

The top is pieced and ready to go. It is really a quick and easy quilt. But after this I will have had my watermelon fix for the summer. I used all fat quarters and even for the background in the shoefly blocks to give it a scrapy look but used a black with white polka dot for the sashing to tie it all together.

Now I am pinning and pinning it so the the next step up is quilting. I use to do this on the floor but my knees can not handle it anymore so I put it on a large table and worked from the center out. Not to sure what type of quilting, line or free motion quilting. So hopefuly this weekend I will get it quilted and the binding on.

The Tee-Shirt Dress has Evolved

Remember in the 80's when you could take a plain tee and then add gathered cotton print to the bottom to create a dress...

They were cute, but have gone by the wayside like Mom jeans. Maybe you might make one for a little one in your life, but these dresses are so not in fashion for adults of modern day. The style was way too 'happy-hands-at-home' for most.

Until Leanne came along and made up some quite modern and fashionable T-shirt Dresses. It's almost like the crafty-cutesy Tdress was a brightly colored caterpillar, and for many years the caterpillar is changing into a chrysalis away from fashion and the well dressed, and now the beautiful butterfly spreads it's wings to join all the lovely dresses we can wear.

Visit Leanne at ElleApparel

Sexy, chic and feminine is what I think of when I see this beautiful Coral Dress. She has beautiful, age appropriate, in-fashion tutorials for T-dresses that do not look like 'happy-hands-at-home'! 

I am definitely putting this one on the

MUST DO LIST!! 

Watermelon Shoefly Update

Went by JoAnn's on my way home from work and picked up a stack of fat quarters to start the Watermelon Shoefly quilt. I started cutting for the shoefly blocks and did some piecing, but at this point I need to get some sleep. I will post pics tomorrow when I get home from work and can show some of these cute little blocks.

Cleavage Control!!

If your like me and are a bit top heavy sometimes the tops you like and that would be flatterning just don't feel comfortable - well, put it this way they leave way to much for viewing if you know what I mean. I usually pull out a trusty cami or tank to wear underneath, but lately here in Florida the temps are soaring and with humidity making the heat index at record temps it's just to hot to be layering clothing.

Moda Bake Recipe by Kim Walus

Kim Walus of bitty bits & pieces got together with Moda and stirred up one awesome recipe the Faux Cami. What a lovey creative and helpful fashion addition to anyone's wardrobe. I can see these used in so many ways, and so many different fabrics. Couldn't you just see this done in a lovely soft lace also.

A & E Pharmacy Fun!

Drove to pensacola to visit my favorite fabric shop A&E Pharmacy.

By the looks of it you wouldn't know they have the largest collection of quilting fabrics in the panhandle of Florida, but they do!

In my haul I got some geometric prints in blue, yellow and green. It's for a quilt I will be making for someone special's little someone special. It's a suprise so I will tell more later.

And it continues...

I love Ann Taylor clothing but

COME ON,  AGAIN?

Really? You didn't learn from the first mistake,

and all the public out cry that was a result of it?!?!

Learn more here

While on the subject of watermelon...

and all it's sweetness, it's the fruit most assosiated with summer. Besides being a tasty treat watermelon is the Lycopene Leader in fresh produce, having higher concentrations of lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. In fact, fresh watermelon contains higher levels of lycopene than fresh tomatoes - a 2-cup serving of watermelon contains and average of 18.16 mg and one medium-sized tomato contains 4 mg. Something good for us 'of a certian age' fighting aging free radicals. A watermelon contains about 6% sugar and 92% water by weight. Watermelon is also mildly diuretic and contains large amounts of beta carotene.


Some fun water melon facts:
•The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt.
•Over 1,200 varieties of watermelons are grown worldwide in 96 countries.
•Watermelon's official name is Citrullus Lanatus of the botanical family Curcurbitaceae. It is cousins to cucumbers, pumpkins and squash.
•By weight, watermelon is the most-consumed melon in the U.S., followed by cantaloupe and honeydew.
•Early explorers used watermelons as canteens.
•The first cookbook published in the U.S. in 1776 contained a recipe for watermelon rind pickles.
•In 1990, Bill Carson of Arrington, TN grew the largest watermelon at 262 pounds that is still on the record books (1998 ed. Guinness Book of World Records).
 

Not only is watermelon tasty but it makes an awesome mojito!!

And you knew I would have to put my  quirky little twist on it didn't you?!?!

 

Watermelon Mojito

 

Ingredients

• 
  
  2 1/2 to 3 pounds watermelon flesh, pits removed
• 
  
  1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 
  
  1/4 cup packed mint leaves, plus more for garnish
• 
  
  2 1/2 cups white rum
• 
  
  1/4 cup agave syrup

Directions

In a blender, puree watermelon, fresh lime juice and mint in batches until smooth. Strain into a pitcher. Mix in rum and syrup. Serve in glasses filled with ice and garnish with mint leaves.

Ahhh, the sweetness of summer!!