A weeks worth of information

 Well it has been a little while, but I have had a very busy week.  First off my birthday was on Wednesday. I turned 24. One more year before I am a quarter century. I made a silver dress to wear on my birthday. It is the same as the flower dress only a little longer and with pockets. It went a lot better then my other dress. Not nearly the mistakes. Practice definitely helps. I really like how it turned out.

On Thursday I worked at McKenna in the office. I miss the office sometimes. Now in retro spec I regret it, but I will get to that later. Not much time that day to do anything, I got home really late.

Friday I didn't work, but I did go in and spend some time with Melissa, the person I am going to be working for, for the rest of the year. I got a lot of insight on what to do for the class, so I am not lost when I get there for good. After that I went to Sue's house to do some paper crafting with her and Siobhan.

I made a really cute picture album, which I am in love with. It turned out really cute, the pictures don't do it justice. It was so much fun just hanging out with Sue and Siobhan, getting to do something other then sewing.

On Saturday, Nick and I helped Tim and Amy move to their new house. The house is so beautiful, but I don't think I could ever live there. Both Nick and I were getting claustrophobic. The houses are all way too close to each other. I got to spend time with the cutest baby in the world, Alyssa, the daughter of one Amy's friends. This baby didn't cry or even really get fussy at all. I can't wait to have kids.

I finally got to sew some more on Sunday. I finished a blanket that I have been working on for a little while. Now hold your breath Siobhan. I don't want you to pass out! I made using the scraps from all the stuff I made for you. I really loved how this blanket turned out. The only thing is that is kind of small, but that is ok. It will still be used, no matter the size.

I went to work on Monday at the District Office. It was such a long day. They never have anything for me to do. So I sit there all day trying not to look too bored. Halfway through the day I started to feel really sick. I thought it was something I ate, until it lasted all night long and I woke up today with a fever. I got whatever was going around at McKenna. I hate being sick, I hate more having to call in to work. So here I lay in bed, finally able to add to my blog. Hungry, but scared to eat. I hope I am better before tomorrow, I have to go dress shopping with Stephanie. Well off I go to find something to eat.

I Did It

Well I finally made a really cute dress that I love and will wear all the time. It took me about 3 hours and I sure did have some difficulties with it, but I did ok. I put the collar in upside down at first and didn't realize what I did until I finished the dress. Needless to say I had to take the collar out, and make a new one. I was nervous that I would ruin the rest of the dress when I took the collar off, but it looks great. I did forget to put my label in it, which makes me sad. I will have to get used to put one on everything I sew. I really love the retro fabric I found at Value Village. Thrift stores are the best!!!! I have another dress just like this one planned in a silver gray fabric for a very casual, yet dressy look. I will make that one later this week I think.

Yesterday I drew out my designs for the first couple of projects that I have planned. I read in Sew U by Wendy Mullin that you should always have a project ticket. Basically a piece of paper that explains what you are doing and what you need. That way when I go to make the project I have a list all ready for me. I made a bunch of them yesterday, that way I can quickly pick a project and sew. No more dilly dallying.

Tonight my mom, Stephanie, and I are all going out to Red Robin for our birthday dinners. Here I come "Crispy Chicken Sandwich with no onion and two sides of ranch." YUM! I am so hungry I can't wait. This is why I made the dress today. I wanted to look cute. And I will!

What a Busy Weekend

My weekend was so busy I hardly had time to do anything I wanted.

On Friday, I wasn't feeling well so I stayed home on the couch, looking at free sewing patterns on-line. I also decided to start my clothing label. I think it will be an exciting thing for me. Siobhan said she would help me with the web page to show off my clothes, which is nice of her. I made the clothing tags to put on everything I sew, so everyone will know it is mine. Then when it was time I went to Nick's wrestling banquet in Lacey. That was fun to see the boys again. Nick got a glass plaque that says he was assistant coach and the boys got me flowers for helping out so much. I almost cried. I complained all season, but I really did have fun. The kids are great to be around, so many personalities. It will all start again next year.

Then on Saturday we went to Becky's baby shower. I went and tortured myself with the shenanigans and Nick spent time with Billy and the kids. Becky and I decided, when I have a baby shower it will just be a BBQ for everyone to spend time together, moms, dads, and kids. And no silly games. Becky also said she wanted her kids to be models for my web site with all the clothes. Which is a definite. After we left Timbuktu, we went to Bills, Nick's dad's house. That is always an adventure. Julie gave me some great fabric to make Becky's kids clothes. I am excited for that.

On Sunday, Nick and I just lazed around. I went to Wal-Mart with my mom and got battery acid all over me, which I had to stand in the shower for 15 minutes just rinsing it off. Then I worked on organizing my patterns, and making an inventory of the ones I have and the ones I want. I also got some sewing done. I finished a really cute Jungle blanket and a Pink and White blanket. Now all I have is one blanket left that is already cut and ready to go. I will have to start cutting fabric again. That is okay though, because it will be clothing for me. YAY!!!

Another Boring Day in Paradise

Well another day with no work. How sad, I wish I could just get a job, so I am not at home all day. Oh well, I guess I am getting lots of sewing done. Today I made a blanket to cover the dresser in the playroom, a seat cushion and I think I might work on one of the many blankets that are ready to sew. I finished cleaning out my sewing stuff. I have all my fabric organized by project type (ie.. skirts, tops, pants, blankets). Now I can easily grab a project and do it without searching for the fabric that I had intended. I just hope it stays that way.

Later in the day.... Well I did end up working :) The person I am supposed to work for starting after spring break went into labor today (but the doctor stopped it, she's too early). I might be working from now on. No more lazy days for me. This is making me depressed, oh well, I will get over it.

I got one blanket and a jersey knit backpack to add to my finished list. Maybe after dinner I will be able to sew even more. I feel like I can do so much more now with my list. HMMM, what else can I make a list for? First dinner, now sewing. I should make a list of crazy outfits I want to wear or projects around the house we need to get done. Oh the possibilities !

Finished

Here it is all finished! Yay, I finished spray painting the base so it doesn't look like a xmas tree stand. I am quite satisfied. The only thing is that the waist is about 1 inch too big compared to my measurements, but I read somewhere else that the extra inch could be ease. So that is ok. Off to use it now in some great sewing projects.

Here is where I start

I have officially decided to start a blog. I have read many other blogs all showing off their great crafting projects and thought: "why not me?" Well here it goes.

I made a duct tape dress form last night, boy was that an experience. First off if you are claustrophobic at all don't make one for yourself. Also you need someone to do the taping if you are making a replica of your body.

First you need a large t-shirt that goes over your bottom, two 60 yard rolls of duct tape and about 3-3 1/2 bags of filling. Put the shirt on and start duct taping. We started at the bust line just because that part takes the longest. First wrap duct tape right below the bust line then right about the bust line. Then in an X shape across your bust. Once that is done just start placing strips of duct tape horizontally from the hips up to your shoulders all the way around your body. After the first layer is done, do a second layer vertically on your body. Now a third layer horizontally, (I know it takes a lot to make it stiff). Now you can cut up the back and slip out of your suit. Retape the back and stuff. MAGIC!! You now have a basic dress form. I attatched a flat piece of wood to a large dowel and stuffed inside before stuffing completely and used an old christmas tree stand so I could have a standing dress form. I also covered mine in fabric, by making a tube of knit fabric and pinning where the shaping needed to be.

There you have it a basic duct tape dress form. Super easy and pretty cheap. Total it cost me 20 bucks. Not bad considering the professional ones cost 100-700 bucks.

Check back later for other craft projects I have completed.