A Little Spring Inspiration.

So I know I have been slacking with what I've been up to recently, and I just plain suck at taking pictures of what I have been up to, but here is a little bit of what's been inspiring me recently.

Also, another sewing machine?  Yep.  Just what I needed.  Now I have 4.  Oh boy.

So here is my new baby, isn't she beautiful?  Love it so much.

And of course the beautiful old Buffalo houses are constantly inspiring me.  The classic shapes and gorgeous color combinations are just so extremely beautiful.

I love them.

The boutiques I'm surrounded by constantly remind me of the stuff other people are making and producing.  (Also to get off my butt and get stuff done!)

And of course these little crocus babies trying their very hardest to make it spring despite the snow we had two days ago.  We're all hoping it's here too little babies!

Last but not least my little family.  My momma has been here all week and between my boy and my Momma I'm aware of all the support and love I have.  And of course my weasel princess loves me more than even understandable.  

On top of all of that, my boyfriend was just written the most beautiful review on a local music blog!  I couldn't be more inspired by what I have right in my own little world.

Projects to come!

Fun-A-Day Finale.

The finale of all of our hard work came to a conclusion last Thursday night, and it was a wonderful evening.  I was blown away by the creativity, talent, and humor used on all of the projects.  I took pictures of a bunch of the projects minus a couple, but you get the idea.

This is my boyfriend Alex's final conclusion to his project.  He wrote and recorded 28 songs each and every day for the entire month.  A project that took a good 3 hours minimum every day, sometimes more.  I was unbelievably impressed by this finished project, and couldn't be prouder.  

Here is the link to his bandcamp site to download the CD for free!  

The top two were done by my friend Bryan who painted a state a day and a law that still exists in said state.  So great!  

Above on the right is my friend Kristine's project who made a cartoon of a friend every day and little zines with all of the cartoons in them.  And of course little cartoon Alex & Kayleigh are next to each other - we look so cute!  

Another project was pictured above is a poster of February food haikus with illustrations, which turned out hilarious and awesome.  She also has done a bunch of comics all around Buffalo which are absolutely amazing and always blow me away. 

The pictures of the eyes was done by someone I didn't know, but I love the finished result.

The last is my friend Lisa made her friends into dolls.  The result was funny, and surprisingly spot on.  I love my Kayleigh doll, and I really almost wore that dress the very day!  It's awesome.  

And for my project I put them all in a book with the Before & Afters.  It turned out really well, and people were so supportive and complimentative.

Thanks again for everyone who helped with this project!  And stay tuned for more projects to come!

Bangs, Birthdays, & Butterflies.

This is what has been happening in my life recently.

New Bangs.  

Beautiful Friends.

Fancy Birthday Dinner Date.

So my birthday is on Monday, but we celebrated alittle bit early..... I just love birthdays!

My Babies.

Today's "Krazy Kraft" at the Library.
Coffee Filter Butterflies!  

As you can see it's been all work and no play around here....

But really, we did deserve a bit of a break after all the chaos that was February.

And I promise, projects to come next week!  Plus hopefully the wonderful addition of my Etsy Shop!  Woooo!

Enjoy this Spring Saturday!

BonBons & Stuff.

In the aftermath of a crazy month, I've still been trying to get back to a regular routine.

My yoga practice is back on track, my house is finally clean (it was getting pretty bad), dishes are all done, oven is painstakingly clean, and my clothes are (mostly) put away.  These things all took a back seat to the fun-a-day project.  As a result, today was spent doing all the above mentioned chores, and trying to get my studio back to normal.  Not this crazy mess of fabric piles it's become recently.

Feel free to judge my messiness.

Pretty awful mess.  You should have seen it before!  If you can imagine, this is somehow better and slightly more organized studio.  It's getting there.  

Of course I had to stop and make time for baking cookies too.....

Coffee Bonbons with Chocolate Frosting!

Extremely rich and amazing.  This is a new recipe I just tried out tonight, and they turned out so well!  Don't you love trying out a new recipe and they come out tasting great?

And then here is my cat.  He was just staring at me the for the whole process.  

Actually he still is.  Just so helpful. 

He also looks like he is judging me.  I'm not projecting right?  You see that too?

Oh Brucey.

Happy happy tuesday everyone!

Day 28 - I Did It!

The last day of the month has come!  Finally my fun-a-day for February is complete!  Here is my very last project (for this month long project anyway)!

How about that beautiful little country prom dress!?  Probably should have just left it.

More views of my new dress.  I had the fabric for the top part laying around, I think I bought it 2 years ago.  I didn't have a specific project in mind for it when I bought it, but it matched so perfectly with the peachy orange of my rockin' 90's prom dress.

So this picture totally looks staged, and it was a little... but both my boyfriend and I have been busy little bees all month and we split some wine to celebrate!  This is just a break while he took pictures of me.  Who could blame us?  This month was tough.  However, very very rewarding.

For this dress I ripped off the top part of the dress (probably will refashion that at another time), and kept the zipper in tact.  I drafted the patterns for the bodice and cut out the new bodice.  I sewed the new bodice together and attached that to the bottom half.  Then I hemmed the bottom half to my liking as well.  I know, probably too much with the bottom longer in the back, but I just really like that for multi-layer skirts!  Perfect for this one.

Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive and complementary during this project!  It really kept me chugging at 2 AM.  Also, thanks to Alex and Sarry for taking a million pictures of me (cause I hate being in front of the camera).  Stay tuned for lots more creativity!

Total Time: 5 Hours
Total Money Spent: $3
Outcome: Art Show Dress

Almost There! - Day 27

Well it's the second to last day, and I'm feeling a little sad about it.  Also really excited to sink my teeth into some new projects!

Todays project was a little white dress that I picked up and loved the texture of the fabric.

Here is the before & after;

Cute right?  I love the fabric.  So much fun.

You like?  I like it alot!  I'm a huge fan of white, pretty much all year around.

I took in the sides about 1 inch on each side, and took in the sleeves about a half inch.  I took up the hem about 4 inches, and changed the neckline to a scoop neck.  Really easy changes that completely overhaul the dress.

Also, my serger was a superstar with this project!  I'm in love with it.  Makes everything so clean and neat.

Get ready for my last project for the fun-a-day tomorrow!  This month flew by...

Total Time: 2 Hours
Total Money Spent: $5
Outcome: White Party Dress

Day 26, A New Tank.

Well, I was really at a loss as to what to do today...so this is pretty much all I could come up with.

I really just hated this dress.  I actually bought it eons ago and wore it as is for awhile.  It's been one of those dresses that just sits around at the bottom of drawers forever, and today, mostly because I'm out of refashioning items, I dug it out.  I thought the only way I would really wear this was if I made it into a shirt.  Something about the dress was just not cutting it for me.

But I actually am really happy with the way it turned out.  It's both a perfect lazy reading day shirt (which is exactly what I did today), as well as a good yoga shirt.

Now I will finally wear this red number that I've hated for probably the better part of 4 years.

So for this dress I cut off the bottom part and shaped it to be about 2 inches shorter in the front then in the back.  I didn't hem the bottom because I wanted it to have the natural hem that knits have, basically to not be too stiff.  I cut off the ruffle from the neckline and armholes and hemmed those shut using my new machine!

Drum roll please...

My Mema & Papa gave me a brand new overlock machine (or serger) today as an early birthday gift! It makes everything look more professional, and really it's just a better quality finished project.  Thank you so much you two!

Here it is!

Yay!  Isn't it beautiful!?

That brings my sewing machine count up to 4... good thing I have ample studio space.  Ample for now anyway.

They also just celebrated their 69th Wedding Anniversary!  Can you believe that?  They are still together and living just the two of them, and are two of the most amazing people I've ever known.  Such kind, sweet and unbelievably loving and supportive grandparents.  I'm a lucky gal.

Absolute bombshells they are.

This picture is hanging on my inspiration wall in my studio to remind me of how wonderful my family is, and to inspire me when nothing else does.  Thank you so much Mema & Papa!

Day 25. More Mint.

Agh!!  We're getting so close to the end of the month!

My fun-a-day project will be done but I am hoping to keep up all my work in my studio.  Probably not until 1 AM most mornings....makes me way to sleepy,  but hopefully lots of projects and sewing to come!

So anyway, here is my project for the day!

Mint scallop shorts!  Hooray!

I guess I really have a color palette I'm drawn to in my wardrobe more than I realized....

Well what I did for this project was basically just cut the scalloped edge at desired edge.  I just backed the fabric first so that they wouldn't fray when I cut them, but I didn't hem them!  I'm not entirely sure if that will work, but it looks good so far!  I think it might work....well, who knows really.  Probably my Momma, but we'll ask her another time.  Now it's time for bed.

Total Time: 30 Minutes
Total Money Spent: $2
Outcome: Minty High Waisted Shorts

Finally, Day 24.

Alas!  I am finally caught up!

Here is what I did for my project today.

I guess by now you probably figured out my favorite color is sunshine yellow.  Followed closely by salmon.

I love this one.  Makes me so ready for some warm weather!

For this project, I took the hem up about 10 inches. and took the sides in about 3 inches total.  I made the sleeves about an inch shorter too.  Just a couple of changes make all the difference with this dress.

Hope everyone enjoyed the Oscars.  I unfortunately do not get ABC (I know, in this day and age), but I will be scouting out the red carpet dresses tomorrow and reading who won what.  Exciting stuff I'm sure!

Now, I'm hopping into bed.  Nighty night.

Total TIme: 2 Hours
Total Money Spent: $2
Outcome: Picnic Spring Dress

Day 23 With Stripes!

Yes I know, still a day late....  The weekends are hectic over here what can I say.

This was another quick little refashion which is all I had time for yesterday.

Before & After Day 23;

Now it doesn't look like an over-sized little girls dress.

I've been really into stripes recently.  I blame Deb from the most recent season of Dexter, that girl has a plethora of cute striped tees!  I'm a fan.

So all I did for this one was shorten the sleeves about 2 inches, the neckline about 2 inches all the way around, and the hem about 2 inches too!  Now its a grown up striped tunic!

Total Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
Total Money Spent: $1
Outcome:  Nautical Tunic

Addie likes it too as you can see.