Odd but cute

Lately I've been having nightmares. I  know it's tied to all the goings' on with moving. Also I've been really nauseous which obviously kills my appetite. But I'll be fine, maybe I'll even be able to lose a few pounds. Either way I just need to get through this next month. It'll all work out. Nightmares are only nightmares. They're not real.

The other day my mom raved about one of her friends sons. These days the attempts others make at setting me up are laughable. I mean, what girl hasn't had their mother/sister/family friends etc. try and hook 'em up with an ~eligible suitor? It's normal and common and I know they're just lookin out for me. It's sweet. But really guys? GET THIS- what's-his-face is 30 years old. 30!! She wants me to someday meet this guy who's 10+ years my senior and yet she flies off the handle when I go out with a man of my choosing? Let's not forget the last couple of dates have been 8-14 years older. I guess she's okay with me dating older men so long as she gets to say who. Whatever mom. Anyway, I'm not looking to get into any kind of relationship or even courtship for that matter. I just wanna focus on getting my life together. Working my butt off to save money, learning new things, making new friendships and getting healthy is really all I want right now. Also boys have cooties and it's flu season so there you go.

I haven't talked to my friend in a couple of days. Sunday I think? And last night out of nowhere I got a goodnight text. I'm pretty sure I know what your thinking after what I JUST said about not trippin off boys... But we're just friends trust me. And don't you dare say "awww" this is not an awww moment! But it was very sweet. Odd, but cute.

Five things

1. I've been channeling all of my negative energy into sewing. So far so good: countless Christmas gifts, 12 dresses and skirts, 2 fleece blankets. I'M ON A ROLL! This has been serving as a really great distraction from my urges as well. It's been cut down pretty significantly! At first I was a little disappointed in myself for buying first-aid supplies. But you know what, it's better to be safe than sorry. I've relapsed enough times to know that I need to be prepared. Especially with the troubling times ahead of me.
2. I've been giving sewing lessons to my neighbor. She's 51 years old, has three kids, a husband, three dogs, loves cooking and is obsessed with The First 48. She found me taking pictures in the common area and I was like oh no I've been spotted! I already had an alibi in an effort to play off the fact that I was taking a million pictures of myself all the time. I was taking a photography class and the assignment was a self portrait, everyday for a month lol. A little ridiculous and unnecessary but it's worked in the past so whatever. This time though there was no need for a back story. She simply approached me and asked where I got my clothes from. That lead to a pretty cool conversation. She told me she was trying to get into sewing herself and it just so happened that she recently bought a sewing machine. We chatted for a bit and later that day I walked over to her house and gave my first sewing lesson! It felt really good to not only make nice with a fellow neighbor but also the fact that I actually taught someone something useful.
3. After more than a year I bought some hair dye. While I was at it I decided it was time for a haircut as well. Please ignore my hot mess of a face, tired eyes and smudged eyeliner, it was a long day...
   
4. I'm thinking of making things to sell again. But this time hardcore. I get asked all the time about my clothes and little accessories that I wear and people are pretty surprised to know that I make them myself. I've got the techniques down. And I've had plenty of practice. Plus I have so much doggone fabric in my stash!! I have tons of ideas and since my nieces have come into the world I've been experimenting with lots of baby-related things. I've got time on my hands and nothing to lose. I've sold things before I don't see why I couldn't do it again. And I could really use the money, so there's that.
5.  We're moving this weekend. All 4 of us are moving downstairs while they redo the floors upstairs. Then we're going right back up. It's gonna be a little bit of a challenge I think to move the majority of our stuff downstairs all by ourselves only to go right back up in two or three weeks. But it's worth it. And it's a heck of a lot better than having to stay in a random motel and live out of suitcases until it's over.

grunge wannabe

I got a Liebster Award!

1. Of the Avengers, which is your fave?

 Hmmm, I've never seen the Avengers. Is that Marvel? *quick Google search* OKAYYY seeing as the first thing to come up is a hot blonde with an impressive mid-section... I CHOOSE HIM. _______ you are my favorite Avenger man.

2. Short hair or long hair?

On myself? Long hair, just because it's so feminine. And I used to have long hair when I was a little girl and I miss it :( But I do enjoy short hair very much- it's so versatile! Other girls can rock it better than I can, but short or long hair it doesn't matter. HEALTHY hair is what really matters. 

3. What is the healthiest food you eat on a regular basis?

 Vegetables. I love cauliflower, carrots, lettuce, green beans, peas, asparagus, onions, blahblahblah. As you may or may not know I'm a vegetarian (6 years and counting!) You can't really be a vegetarian and not love vegetables, that's just silly.

4. What was the best girly movie of 2013?

5. What state would you most like to visit?

6. Do you speak any other languages?

Si, hablo espanol pero solo un poquito.

7. In what area are you your most creative self? 

8. New Red Dawn movie or the original; which do you prefer and why?

 Neither because I have no idea what Red Dawn is. WAIT is that one of the Twilight movies? *goes back to Google* Ohhh. Yeah, neither.

9. Best book you've read.

10. What is a fashion necessity for you, something you hardly ever leave home without?

My stud earrings from my brother, my locket necklace from my aunt, and my bracelet from my best friend. I'm really sentimental and I just love these so much. Literally, I'm either wearing these three things or nothing at all. It's very rare that I wear any other jewelry. 

11. How do you de-stress?

It's a three-way tie between sleep, sewing, and writing in journals.

'MERICA

I OFFICIALLY HATE PRINCESS SEAMS! I could not get them to lay right. They were crooked, too loose, too tight, uneven, just ugh. So I just settled for this and ended it. It's still a little loose but it's comfortable which is all the really matters to me in the end anyway. Also I changed the neckline in the front and the back just because. I love the skirt of it! Normally I go for a really full one because I like the twirl-factor but a long sort of a-line skirt is really nice for a change. The fabric still flows nicely when I move. Or when the wind blows (see first photo). I've seen other girls dresses with this pattern and they seem to all turn out really nicely. The princess seams are very flattering. Maybe I'm just doing it all wrong, oh well. Practice makes perfect!

Trying my hand with a Vogue pattern // Vogue

 

This dress was sooo problematic to the point of tears. It took me two whole days and a whole lotta will power to not rip it apart and just throw it out. This is the first time I've made anything with a vogue pattern and while the instructions were sort of easy to follow my execution was totally off. I must have redid the neckline 3 times. And taken apart the sleeves another 4! I don't know if it was the stripes, the gathers at the bust, or simply my own frustration that was turning this project into a nightmare. But that it was. However, I think it turned out alright. Maybe a 2 out of 5 stars. Not amazing but still wearable.

CLEARLY the neckline is uneven, you don't have to point it out lol. But I tried y'all. I really did. And I refuse to do it again. If I stand a certain way you won't notice it ;)

Anyway, this dress makes me feel like I'm late for a Mexican party for some reason. I realize hat rainbows have nothing to do with Mexican parties but whatever. Pass the salsa.

Lately...

I've been quite a busy bee as of late. So far this month I've been: 

1. Reconnected with a couple of old friends
2. Giving sewing lessons to my neighbor
3. Sewing like crazy in my free time
4. Hunting for a second job

I know that's only 4 things, but those four things take A LOT of time and A LOT of energy! But this is good for me. Even though I'm really tired at the end of every day being busy is the best feeling ever! I love having a full schedule, something to wake up for, lists of things to get done, places to be... I love to feel useful. And I love making people happy! Which is exactly what I've been doing all month. Reconnecting makes me and my friends happy (win-win!). Sewing lessons help my neighbor feel great about herself and I get a sense of accomplishment from being a good teacher. Making things in my free time for friends and family (and a few thing for myself ) makes everybody happy! Looking for a second job makes me feel good because I know that I can handle the responsibility. I wanna be able to help out more with taking care of whatever finances at home and also that second paycheck will really help me with saving money. So everybody wins!!

Simplicity 4402 take four!

Second dress using the Simplicity 4402 pattern. I', really happy with the way it turned out! I only used it for the bodice, the skirt and sleeves I drafted separately. And this time I made a lapped zipper!! Unfortunately I failed to get a picture of it. But I seriously will never go back to exposed zippers! I swear it! They just don't look as professional. I only ever finished with exposed zippers because I didn't know how to do anything else, plus for some reason I liked the look of it. No more, though. From now on lapped zippers allllll the way baby.

1. Top 3 favorite kinds of food 

2. First 3 things you do in the morning 

3. Last 3 things you do at night 

4. 3 TV shows you NEVER miss 

5. 3 places you want to visit 

6. 3 people you can always count on

Denim // Simplicity 4402

 

tiki // Simplicity 4402

60's Paper Doll - my first vintage pattern!!

I bought a pattern on Etsy about a month ago. I was nervous to purchase it just because I'd never actually ordered a pattern before. I took my measurements then double and triple checked with the patterns measurements to make sure this wouldn't turn out to be a dress for a size 0. The pattern was originally printed in the 60s and it was designed for a junior/teen size 12. The seller had noted that the pattern pieces had been cut but verified that all were included. That was a relief. For some reason a lot of people who sell vintage or out of print patterns (or any patterns really) never seem to give enough information. Just "size 16, good condition" and that's it!!! What if there are pieces missing? What if it's damaged? How am I supposed to know what the exact measurements are? Ugh, it can be a pain searching for hours for the perfect pattern... but it's definitely worth it once you find one that works for you.

This one works so well for me and I think I'm obsessed. Wait never mind I AM obsessed! I've made 5 of these dresses so far and I can't get enough. It fits me like a doggone glove. As I've mentioned I had already checked the measurements but as with any pattern ever I had expected to still need to take it in or modify it along the way. But nope! I didn't have to do anything! The pattern pieces had already been cut out thanks to the previous owner (which I'm not complaining about. Makes it 300x's easier for me!). I'm not a huge fan of gathered skirts so I just made a circle skirt instead. I made this in mid-December and I've already worn it four times. It is such a fun little dress.

You'll be seeing plenty of dresses with this pattern in the near future :)