Vintage Sewing Notion Collage

Talk about a fun project I just did.  I was looking at vintage sewing notions on Pinterest and saw an idea for a collage, and then came up with my own idea.

A few of the notions I already had, and I bought a couple things at a local sewing resale shop.  The frame was one we had, which I spray painted and then dry brushed to make it look old.  You can find instructions all over for how to make a "vintage picture frame."

Isn't it just adorable, and it really didn't cost much to make at all.  And now I have some art for my sewing room.

Lots of sewing lately....and pants for the contest

I really need to do a little posting, but what I think I'll do it just post photos of some of my latest projects, all of which will have reviews on Pattern Review.

These slacks have been submitted for the Pants contest this month.  I would be grateful for any votes.  I used the SureFit Designs pants kit.

I did a couple cardigans from the Silhouette Patterns Twin Set, and used the instructions from one of her webcasts recently.

I made some cute linen capris, also from SureFit designs and did embroidery on the leg.

Cassiope - Shawl

I finished a cute and actually simple shawl this past week.  I know the words "shawl" and "simple" rarely go together, but  this one didn't overly tax me at all.

Here are a  couple photos:

A bit thanks to Jennifer for the skein of yarn.

Dressing Your Truth ~ Think I goofed already

Seriously, I must be a total nutcase.  I jumped off the dock without thinking hard enough, or learning enough.  I just assumed I was a Type 3.  Now I'm wondering why I thought that.  Simple answer is because I couldn't be any of the other Types....and now I'm sure I'm not a Type 3.  I keep watching more DYT videos and the people in them, and I'm just too mild mannered (or so I think) to be Type 3.  I think I'm a Type 2 now.  So before I do anything radical or cause any damage, I'm just going to step back for awhile and take it all in.

I tried clothes on at Macy's and the thrift shop the other day, thinking it would be easy to find some Type 3 clothes.  NOT!!!!

I looked and felt like a fool.  The colors were heavy and pulling me down and it didn't help that nothing fit.  I did put one top on in a pretty soft pine green and it looked great on me color-wise.  Funny thing is, it's the exact same color as the purse I bought a couple weeks ago.  I almost always buy a black purse and this time decided for a little color, just not too much color.  Maybe that's a clue.

So today I put on Type 2 makeup and my favorite comfy top in an animal print but it's blue and dark grey and I felt normal, kind of like myself.

This is not going to be an easy journey, that's all I can say.

I just wish I could be an exciting vibrant woman, and I don't think that is what I truly am.

Dressing Your Truth - Makeup and Hair

I love makeup and I wear makeup.   I do know as I've gotten older I've tried to tone it down.  I read blogs and books and they say to wear neutral matte colors around the eyes, blah blah blah.  I've tried that and it doesn't work and it doesn't make me happy.

I have lots of lots of beautiful sparkly colors from Bare Minerals.  I have eye shadows to last me for the rest of my life (oh, and lots of pretty nail polishes too...but that's another post.)

My goal for makeup is to go through it all, pull out as much of the Type 3 stuff I have and make it a little easier and simpler to go through, and put on.

And yes, I'm going to put the sparkly stuff back on.

My hairstylist is going to be so excited when I tell her to go bolder and more wild.  She's always wanting to put more copper colors in and make it chunky.  She always says it's ME....I tell her to soften it.  Ugh....I'm maybe not the smartest one around.

No photos for this post, nothing exciting to see.

Oh, I did paint my nails today, nice and dark and  rich and red....though they are short chewed off nubbins, they refuse to grow lately.  Spring and Summer should help a lot.

Dressing Your Truth - I'm Going For IT!

I have such a constant struggle with clothes and colors and such.  I have decided to follow the guidelines of the "Dressing Your Truth" system.  I have purchased the program.  I watched the initial videos. I chose my type.  And  now I have absolutely NOTHING to wear.

This is going to be a long journey I think.

I am a definite Type 3, that is something I'm confident in, but have been trying to live as a Type 2 (which I think might be a secondary type for me, I'm not sure, and honestly I don't care right now.)  I'm absolutely not a Type 1, it makes me cringe in horror to think of such a thing, and Type 4 scares me.

One of the lessons said to take a photo of your closet and a photo of yourself right now.  I have lots of photos of myself, I'm not afraid to take a photo of how I look at anytime, yet I do know some are not my best.

As far as the closet goes, eek.  I have the tiniest closet around, it's about 4 feet wide, if even.  The house is big so there's more than enough room for my stuff.  Things will hang in the laundry area, there's an extra closet in my son's room that has extra stuff of mine, and a giant walk-in upstairs for more clothes.

 Most the time, none of what I have at anyone time fits me.  I gain and lose weight so often, and of course when I lose weight, I get rid of the big clothes...then I gain again, and have nothing to wear.  So I find a few things to get me by...which is often from the thrift shop.  I have no problems with the thrift shop, and I also shop at Macy's for my main department store.

Okay, the closet.

I see blacks, greys, muted, blues, some pops of color.  My shoe selection sucks big time.  I have feet that hurt a lot, and I wear my Danskos or Boc style shoes.

I guess the goal is to see the closet change over the next few months.  In a month I'll try to remember to take a new photo of the closet and see where I am.  Hopefully ALL the clothes I'm not currently wearing will be out of it. I won't be able to get rid of it all from the start or I'll be going around naked in public.

So that's it on the clothes front for right now.

Top from Silhouette Patterns, Sweater Set

I really have to learn to buy prettier fabrics.  I'm drawn to bright, wild and colorful, and then I feel like a clown when I wear them.  I promise to work on it.

I did the top from Silhouette Patterns #195, Sweater Set.

I pretty much did a straight size 4, and added 1/2" to each side seam (so a total of 2").  After I was done I realized I had not put the center front on the correct fold line, so the front was 1" too big.  I also ended up taking it in a little from the underarm and the bust.  I obviously made 3/4 sleeves which I prefer.

I'm really happy with how the french dart fits.  I've never made one before and didn't know what to expect.  My first try was wrong, and I tried doing it differently, and that made it worse.  I then went back to the original dart placement, and extended it up higher, about 1.25" inches higher and it was perfect.

I will definitely keep using this pattern, and learn how to use it with other Silhouette Patterns for tops.