Totally Totes Tote

Looking for my giveaway?? Here it is.

My latest project was a tote bag. I used a fat quarter of the geometric fabric I designed and made a pattern for a bag with two pockets inside. This is probably the most well-made item I've made to date. I took a lot of extra care with it and was thrilled that it came out so clean and nice.

I'm excited to get my fabric designs out into the internet world and see what people think.

Also, I wanted to share with you the outfit I made up yesterday. I loved Kristen Wiig's pairing of a blazer with a dress in Bridesmaids and I've read a few blogs that noted it as well. I'm pretty new to accessorizing and dressing up and making an effort so I'm still really amped when I come up with something I think goes really well together but wouldn't be my first choice. AND since I work at home and don't see anyone, I must share.

Necklace: Forever 21
Jacket: Thrifted (Ann Taylor)
Dress: Ross
Shoes: Payless

AND I thought I'd show the true functionality of this outfit by posting a picture of how good it looks even when I'm fixing my hair.

May Giveaway Day!

It's finally May Giveaway Day!
I worked long and hard on my giveaway prize. I tried some new techniques and I used two fabric combinations that I'd been saving in my back pocket for a while.

An elephant! With a trunk and ears and blue flowers all over it. She's about a foot tall and VERY soft and plushy. I loved the gray plaid with the yellow floral print the second I saw it together in the discount bin at my local fabric store. When I thought of the elephant, I knew it would be perfect.

I wanted to create an animal with a sectioned body to give it more personality. For reference, I turned to the only stuffed animal I own that I didn't create - Patches, a silly bear I've had since I was a baby. He looks pretty worn now but I remember when he was brand new. His nose has had to be stitched on again and my mom likes to tell the story of when I took him in the bath with me. Patches has been very well-loved. The stuffing has settled and uneven in some places and he's more like a pillow now than a doll and I love that about him.

So this elephant is brand new, created just for a lucky winner - but it's also very well-loved. She can sit up on her own but has floppy ears and arms/legs. She goes perfectly on a shelf but also fits nicely in the crook of a tiny little arm. As soon as I finished her, she felt like an old friend. Instead of passing along to you a friend to break in, I thought I'd share one that felt like it had experience being a special companion.

All you have to do is comment below between today, May 23rd, and Wednesday, May 25th, telling me what you would name your new old friend. Please leave me an email address or a way to contact you if you win in your comment! The winner will be picked randomly and announced on May 26th. I will ship to international participants as well.

The giveaway ends on May 25th.

I can't wait to see what names you all come up with!

Oh Blessed Friday

I'm not sure why I care so much about Friday today. I haven't worked very hard this week on anything besides staying sane. I won't really be kicking back this Friday because I've sort of done that all week.

Truth is, I haven't felt too creative this week outside of my freelance work. I'm hoping I had a good break to start in and get a few projects done this weekend.

I did bake though. I made these Cheddar and Black Pepper Biscuits and served my husband breakfast for dinner. Huzzah!

Don't forget about my giveaway either...

I also turned one of my husband's old shirts into a cute tank top that I then promptly wore out to meet friends. But not before I also whipped up a prototype for a wallet. (photo of shirt "before" is after I cut the neckline. oops.)

Simple, not super great but I love the stripes.

Have a great weekend!!!

Pleats Plz

I'm sorry to say that the above photo is, in fact, a shirt I'm working on. Those pleats have been murder for me. They are tiny and need to be pressed and I'm actually in the process of seam-ripping all of them to start again. SIGH. Big, internal, frustrated sigh. I'm just not a perfectionist when it comes to making clothes. But this time, I really want to do these pleats nicely and neatly. I have no idea when this shirt will be finished.

On another note, I did do some thrifting last week and had two great finds. About 4-5 yards each of nice woven fabrics - super silky with a nice drape but not stretchy. I'm going to plan some high-waisted shorts for the red fabric that has a semi-chevron pattern on it.

Oh, yeah. I couldn't get a picture of them because as soon as I laid them out, Fernando jumped on top. Yes, that's a sweater. And no, I couldn't bear to make him move.

I also snapped a picture of the special project I've been working on for the May Giveaway Day. I'm excited to finish it!

Rocket Dress to Skirt

I know, it probably seems like I just got done with a giveaway but I just found out about May Giveaway Day on Sew, Mama, Sew and since I'm working on a lil something special, I decided I had to participate. So be ready - Monday, May 23 to Wednesday, May 25 - win something special. Something special that might be wearing a skirt.

Now, on to business. I have a pile of clothes that I want to refashion into wearable pieces since various parts seem to be falling apart. This "rocket" red dress (below) was just a little too big/low cut/not really my thing anymore. Since the red color is still fun, I decided to take some of the leftover knit fabric from my latest creation and change it into a skirt. And what a skirt it is.

Simple project but I'm happy to lengthen the life of this dress even if it's just for sitting on the patio all summer.

Winner!

My first giveaway and the winner is actually someone I've chatted with a few times, so I'm even more excited to send her a little gift.

Congrats, Alicia, and thanks to The Tootsie Wootsie for hosting my giveaway!

Weekend Recap

I can't say this weekend wasn't amazing. Friday, we finished work early and saw Bridesmaids. I really suggest you watch it. We laughed the entire time even though everyone else in theater, I think, was either offended or clueless. But I promise, if you're into humor, you'll like it.

Saturday, I went to Salt Lake and hung out with friends. Then Sunday was back to Salt Lake for six hours of BBQing, slip-n-sliding (my idea), live music, and fun times.

I also made Jake whole wheat pancakes from scratch on Saturday. Because I'm super wife. I definitely feel like super wife as I type this in my PJs at 11:38 AM.

Oh, and Jake mowed our lawn that was full of dandelions. Because he's super husband.