Pinned and Nailed...

... I will try to start posting more of the Pins I try.  I hate that I love Pinterest so much. haha  I don't dare get on there sometimes, time will vanish.  This jean skirt haunted me until I tried it.  (just like the hot glue gun molds on a previous post.) I've had some pin fails for sure and today I'm using the word "nailed" loosely.  The next one, however, is nailed for sure.  I have had a big bag of jeans/pants ready to donate but I was at the thrift with the kids a few weeks ago and these jeans were only $2.  I liked the flat pockets so I thought I would use them to practice on this skirt I had Pinned .  When you click on the picture for the Pin there are no instructions just a picture to go by.  The blog is Moda e Dicas de Costura, Fatima has lots of super cute refashion/upcycled clothes ideas, which I love. 

But I'm all in. Chalk, Scissors, Machines at ready. Thinking how hard could it be?, usually with me end in a mess.  Surprisingly not that hard! It goes together pretty well.  I used white chalk to draw my lines on and I actually folded the pants in half & cut all layers at once. 

(Be careful if you have different pockets & pocket placement on the back)

Next time I will round out the point on the outside of the leg more. It's a little tricky navigating around that point & easing in  the ruffle.  I will do a little better sewing the back together with the weird inseam leftover too. That took a little time to figure that out. The picture above is before I completely serged it - the seams are nicely serged now.  On this one I didn't bother sewing a flat felled seam (jean seam) to attach the ruffles. I thought it might be too thick, but now I don't think so & I may try it.   The front is short, but wearable if you like short skirts. It's falls mid-thigh. Below it is modeled with a purple gypsy-ish slip skirt underneath. Some additional layers in the front would make it more modest.  I didn't take a picture of the back.  boo. The back is just as cute.  I just left all the edges serged but they could be hemmed. As it turns out,  I don't like the pockets that much but it was $2 of fun!  How cute this would be to do to little girls jeans.

After that skirt turning out better than expected,  I decided to use a pair out of the donate bag to make this one...

... but 2 of us couldn't figure it out! and it looks easier than the 1st one.  If you do, let me know! That pair of pants is still in pieces.  I want to try this one next. I may even wear this design...a little embroidery on the longer side...we'll see...

... that bag full of pants to donate may be skirts instead!

Create a great day!

Blessings

It's the Future...

... this is just what I imagined flip flops would look like in the year 2014...

 

A Crewel Fasination...

...a few months ago, before things went sideways around here, I became fasinated with crewel work.  Years ago I spent many hours after work doing hand embroidery & I'd love to do some now, but I just tried my hand at free motion machine embroidery and now I'm hooked! I have to start my Christmas list. I started this painting in January and hope to get it finished this week. Here are all my  Crewel Cravings:

Work In Progress

"Crewel Intentions"

18 x 24

I am not quite happy with her expression on the left side yet and have lots of work to do on the crewel pattern & wings as well.  She is going to be hard to part with.

Oh I wish you could see these Bohemian beauties in person. The photos don't do them justice. I just listed them in my Etsy Shop as well as some other hand painted shoes!



Machine Embroidery on Jeans

As you can see I need some practice, but I have to say I did better than I thought I would! There is something very soothing sewing back & forth in little tiny motions. I can't wait to do more.

Like my original design? Just right click on the design and print.   You are welcome to use it for personal projects, but please do not use this crewel pattern on any projects that are to be sold. 



Winter Wonderful ...

It's almost here. Last year my favorite winter collection was Dolce & Gabana. http://folkartbycampbelljane.blogspot.com/2010/10/winter-wonderful.html

This year I'm smitten ♥♥♥ with Christian Dior. Rachel says it best when she says "Bananas!"

A Day Late...

... I spent this weekend pulling everything out of my walk-in closet, there were mountain size piles of clothes in my living room. Pants, shirts, shorts, skirts & dresses. Then jeans, pants, tees and blouses, color coordinating everything as I put it all back. It looks amazing and it feels good to have that done. I've still got to go through all my shoes and underwear drawers. Hubby & I loaded big boxes of clothes that I don't wear, won't ever wear, never have worn or don't fit to the thrift store just this morning. Then I saw this video. Wah Wah I might have to go buy a few back now! hahaha

Low Tide...

...I'm calling this "Monterey" for sure. It reminds me of the tide pools on the coast. I won't share how many times I've crocheted a section on then pulled it out. Contrary to what I thought when I began, this one is going to take a while! I am loving this process.

A Big Shout Out & Thank You goes to Art by Carla Grifo for featuring my Swimmer, Verbena Place for featuring one of my Happy Souls, A Shot In The Dark, AngelinaInspirations for featuring my Incorigible Carnie in their wonderful Etsy Treasuries!

Winter Wonderful ...

... ♥ love ♥ love ♥ love ♥ smitten ♥ smitten ♥ smitten with Dolce & Gabbana's winter collection. I've watched this twice and may watch it again.

I drifted off here & there daydreaming that I was tall and thin! hahaha and then that I had a new knitting machine! I love the Scandinavian patterns which is also repeated in the men's collection, the light as a feather flowing fabrics, the fine knit, medival inspired square yoke sweaters with a slightly puffy sleeve, the leg warmers/shoe covers, and the goggles!?! Scrumptious BANANAS! :) I don't think there is a piece I don't like, with exception of a few purses. Winter wonderful! Brilliant! I'm ready to pull out the needles & then hit Lake Tahoe.

The 1930's Fashionistas...

...almost had it right! Who knew they were already thinking of climate changes & cell phones?!

I wish my "skirts have disappeared entirely" & I could use one of those electric belts about now! LOL I found this crazy video while working on Sometimes Things Are Just Black & White.
Last Tuesday I DvR'd "Double Exposure" and finally watched it last night. I found it channel surfin' on Tuesday. I didn't know the show existed so I missed the first 3 episodes. Snap! I think I'm hooked. I'm looking forward to The Rachel Zoe Project too. And to think I couldn't imagine what I was gonna do without LOST & Saving Grace!
A BIG SHOUT OUT goes to Sarah at Christian Artist Street Team on Etsy for featuring my Sunflower Angel! Also to Allison Strine Designs for including my Angel In A Big Bow in her wonderful Etsy Treasury entitled "Why Can't We Just Get Along".
Tonight my youngest son is playing at The Boardwalk. I'll be heading to the show in a little while. Tomorrow is 2nd Saturday in Sacramento. I'll be at the Marco Fuoco Gallery and hope to gallery hop a bit.
Hope you make it a fun weekend too!

Another Happy Place!

Introducing my brand new blog! My life is so full of color, but I also have a black & white side of life. I love black & white. Surprised? Open up my closet & drawers and that's what you'll find. It's calming to me & I need a little calm refuge! That's what this new "happy place" will be. I will be showcasing photos & links to my favorite Black & White items & fellow Artisans!

"Sometimes Things ARE just Black & White"

So I invite you to Follow me there too! If you have a Black & White item that you would like me to feature, please feel free to contact me! I'd love to see it. I will probably only be able to post once a week so I will be taking my time to really make each post creative, highlighting creative items & creative people. See you there!

The Blog Anniversary Party /drawing will be held on Tuesday May 25th. It's not too late to become a Follower for a chance to win an Original ACEO painting of your choice. I am going to be working on the festivities later. Party On!

Tuesday's Altered Thoughts & Toasty Toes

You may have to click on the page to read each one. If you would like to submit an Altered Thought to be displayed on Tuesdays, please see the rules on the right side of page.

I have been crocheting these little slippers at night. A pair only takes about an hour to make start to finish. Maybe less if you are fast. They are super easy and super comfortable. I am using up some of my old yarn. I am ashamed to say how much I have. I'm not changing colors or making them fancy. I go through a bunch of them every winter. When they get yuky I just toss them out. I had bought this yarn when I was making ponchos and selling them a few years ago. Actually sold a lot of them. Too bad they aren't as popular as they were a few years ago. They are fun to make. I have forgotten how I made them. I made up the pattern and don't really remember it now. It may take a while to figure it out again. After I had made a poncho with this beige yarn I hated it. Because it is beige, I thought it made you look a little nude with no arms and I couldn't use it for making hats either! It would make people look bald. hahaha It's not a problem for slippers though and I am glad to finally get rid of some of it. I will start another pair later today and write down the directions as best I can and take pictures. If you would like the directions for these toasty slippers just let me know and I will be happy to send it to you.

**Shortly after this post my husband was called to work the night shift!

The Queen of Soul...

was the Queen of Style today! I LOVED this hat so much! I couldn't take my eyes off of it so I didn't hear a word she sang! And the earrings were perfect, in fact they look just like the earrings I painted in Lady in Roses from my hats series! I'm no "fashionista" but she was so pretty I was compelled to post about it! It was the first thing my mother and I talked about. Actually I thought she looked just lovely all over - head to toe! I know she will probably endure some jokes about it but I say good for you Ms Franklin! You Rock My Queen! You know how much I love hats...maybe she will inspire people to pull them out of the closet!

photo courtesy of Reuters/Yahoo