Matlock revisted-sorta....

My mother was a big fan of a televison show called "Matlock". He was a fictional attorney based out of Georgia. In almost every episode, he could be seen wearing a seersucker suit. With that said, on my last visit home, my mother had some aqua & white seersucker fabric. So of course I took it. And.... made myself a hat. Can't wait to wear this little number when it warms up and stays warm. I have the perfect jeans to wear w/ but the the rest is still up in the air. I have a crisp white shirt w/ french cuffs that I think would definitely work but that to me would be too obvious. Until I run up on the right shirt, I will definitely work w/ what I have. Here she is...

J'ai fini.....

It's done, finished, complete-but not quite right. So I finished my last WIP and I am very disappointed in myself. I hit one part in the directions that I simply could not figure out. I read it, reread it and still couldn't get. So I ended up doing my version of the purse. Don't get me wrong it's still okay, but that was not my goal, my goal was to make view A. I think one of my problems was using the wrong size handles. Mine were about an inch bigger. I have some of that fabric left, so I don't know what I'll do with the rest. I may try another view off the same pattern. Here it is...










I went to Jo-Anns and found some patterns to add to the stash. I have a lot of patterns for purses, hats, etc., but not for clothing. So I went for basics that way when I reach the level of my inspirations, http://www.ericabunker.com/ and http://www.domestichaven.wordpress.com/ , I will be able to switch it up a bit by changing necklines and buttonholes for example. I also have this book in my collection. It's an older book, but I like looking at for techniques that I would LOVE to try.
It's called "Make it Your Own, Personalizing Patterns for Creative Design" by Lori Bottom and Ronda Chaney.

Next WIPs- a hat from some fabric that my Mom gave me and this lovely number, http://maggiewang.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/larue_bag.pdf as inspired from the movie, "The Devil Wears Prada". Hope these turn out better.....

My new WIP

Here's my new WIP....

This pattern has been staring me on the face for quite some time, I just couldn't decide what fabric to use. Will post finished pics soon...

Trying to do better...

I had enough with my hair. I stopped going to the salon many moons ago ,because my purse was really taking a hit. When I stopped doing that, it just seemed like I gave up on trying to look cute and that started to show in my hair and in my clothes.

One night while surfing I ran across www.monicamingo.com from erica b.'s site. Her site is quite a jewel! On it, she talks about her everyday life, just like we all do. Over on the sidebar, she has a topic called 2007 Hair Care Regimen, http://http://creoleindc.typepad.com/healthy_hair_care_regimen/. I clicked on it and began to read. Am I so glad that I did!!!

Through her hair trip, she takes you on her jounery for longer, thicker fuller hair. So, now I am trying to do better. I, too, have started my own hair journey and from what I have been able to find online, this is not a new topic, just new to ME!

Will keep my progress posted. Thank you CreoleinDC for showing and inspiring me to do better.

So I Made A Shirt....

So I have been trying to do better about my sewing and have found inspiration all over the web from http://www.ericabunker.com/ to http://www.domestichaven.wordpress.com/. With that said, I purchased this pattern some time ago with the hopes of my sister making it for me while she was visiting here on her vacay, but she didn't.

So I made it myself!! Mind you this is the first time I have made any clothing in quite some time. I have done it, but was often discouraged by the way that they would turn out. In other words, they would look home-sewn, so I wouldn't wear them. I took my time and I must say, I would definitely wear this one out. Should I make this one again, I would defintely add about 2" to the length as it was a little short for my taste. I also didn't add the ribbions from the view because it seemed a a bit on the junior side and I am certainly no junior!!!

So here it is...

Watcha think???

Shirt + Sweater

So I had a sweater that had a faux shirt attached to it. I liked it but wasn't crazy about it, so I stopped wearing it. One day at my local Goodwill I found a cute shirt in the mens section. I got the shirt home and it fit a little snug across the bustline. Then it hit me-DING! Why not marry the two together? I cut the cuffs off and attached them at the end of the sweater. I then cut a deep V in the shirt w/ three of the buttons buttoned up. I came across the back just above the shoulders. I then pinned it all down and stitched it. I now I have a cute shirt that I am happy to wear. See......

Now I have to decide what to do with the shirt. I think I may turn it into a jacket w/ wide cuffs. So another WIP I guess....

The Orginal Refashionista Diva to Me.......

My grandmother passed away on February 06, 2008. Her health had been failing for quite some time so it wasn't sudden, but I was still unprepared for the phone call that I got at 6:30 pm.

Nanny, as she was affectionately called, was to me, the original refashionista diva in my family. She could take what appeared to be nothing to you and turn it into something beautiful and functional. She could see a picture of a piece of clothing and copy it. She loved to quilt as well as sew. She would make a quilt for you, and if you had a baby, a quilt for him or her. And, if your baby had a baby, another quilt was made. If you gave her a greeting card with a design on the front, that picture would end up on quilt for you- all hand sewn!

I didn't really appreciate her vast sewing skills until I was older. I look at my mother now and see all of those qualities of her mother in her. When I go home to visit, I am joined at her hip to soak up what she knows as far as sewing is concerned. Oh I wish she lived closer!!!

So with that, I know that I need to appreciate what has been handed down to me and keep it alive so that I can pass on what I know to my son. Sewing is a life skill but more so a part of who I am. So for all that sew, embrace it, develop it and above all, appreciate it!

Thank you and I love you Nanny.........