A detour through the shoe dept.

who is Sam Edelman? as in shoes..I don't know designers; I just know CUTE when I see it! :) I just had to snap them up when I saw them. A huge bargain(10.00/ gently used) I've never owned teal-green suede shoes before. kinda 1940's vintage-y aren't they? :)

Butt-Ugly Fabric Stash?? A New Challenge..

Make a silk Purse From a Cow's Ear:Ida Reiter~ UPDATE: Ive now put together my first "Butt-Ugly" challenge, Pictured is fabric from the 1970's, paired with a old pattern from the 1990's, while the print doesn't photograph too heinously, the texture definitely is!! Ewww..70's knit!!:P... If you'd like to play along..continue reading below! ******************************************************************************************** Butt-ugly fabrics..we all have them (don't we?? or am I the only one?):D How did we acquire it, and WHY do we keep it? Perhaps it was given to us by someone who also hated it, and knowing we sewed, "gifted" us with it?? But then, why hang onto it? I don't have an answer for that one! As for myself, I'm tired of that lump in the back. It mocks me, and rears it's ugly head(or butt?? I can't tell which) every time I open the door! My solution is to make a Butt-Ugly stash-busting game of it!! :) My challenge to myself, (any you-all are my witnesses to keep me accountable) :) During down-time,(you know, the lag-time while you're waiting for the Good-Stuff to arrive?) make something from the "Hideous-Stack". No notion-shopping either, just using what I have. If nothing else, these will be work-practice pieces to hone my sewing skills. and who knows?? A pleasant surprise may come of it. Anyone else want to play? Give a shout! I'd love the company. :)

What I've been up to..

The last couple weeks have taken me way off-schedule from my personal sewing goals. Firstly, My Daughter Graduated with Honors!! Woot! and my son, a Freshman, was awarded Cadet of the Year in his ROTC program and was also awarded the pleasure of marching- around Fort Benning for a week of ROTC camp...Whatever floats your boat, Son! :D I also had to make preparations to get him ready for his First year of being a paid staff Member at the Boy Scout Camp. I had forgotten what a manic rush school year's-end brings. The expense! Oh my!.. and the whole week of all those awards programs for every school activity!!! and the crazy, busy build-up to the High School commencements. ..Oh and crazy me, without having fore-sight, I agreed to a sewing order for my sister to make a dress for a Toga Party she's hosting, I worked like crazy sewing "down to the wire"..I had to next-day mail it to her in New Jersey..While I'm very proud of my Kiddos' accomplishments... Phew, Stick a fork in me, I'm done!!

A Few Threads Loose is having a Give-Away

If you love instant, vintage patterns, dont delay in hopping over to Anna Depew's blog "A Few Threads Loose" (creator of the "Uber-fab" Oooh La La pin-up patterns) She is having a fabulous giveaway on her blog. So much better than a box-full of kittens. :)

Pyjama Party Finish

Late again!! woe is me..but I am proud to have another finish. Here I am wearing my newly-sewn pyjamas! What do you think?? The fabric is vintage 60's tricot found by a dumpster-diving friend, so it was free. Now that I've gotten the early 60's shortie pajamas craving out of my system, I'm now ready to sew more elegant, perhaps age-appropriate(??) looks. Here's a closeup of the fabric and trims. I thought the cute daisy buttons went well with the little daisies in the print..too "sweet"?? ah well...nobody will see except a few hundred of my closest friends. :D

Another Sew-Along!!

Yes, I have stumbled-upon another sew-along I couldn't pass up! :)
Pyjamas are on my immediate list, so it was perfect timing. This sew-along is hosted by "Did You Make That"?
Of course, mine will be made from a vintage pattern.
This is the pattern I just ordered, and will begin just as soon as it gets into my hot little hands. :D

Hop over to "Did you make that" if you're interested...As they say, The more the merrier!! :)

Oooh La-La..a quick update

I just wanted to show you-all real quick how I plan to embroider the bra..First, I traced a chosen design onto tissue paper, which I found at Maureen's Vintage Acquisitions blog. I loved how the design was already "Cup-shaped". I used thread tacks to keep it in place. (the photo shows my wisteria design is a little wonky, so I'll be repositioning it.)
I'll then be embroidering right over the tissue paper. when done, gently tear your paper away. If you decide to do something like this on a similar or other projects, be sure to keep a pair of tweezers handy. :) That's all for now! till next time.

A New Project...The Oooh La-La Sew-Along

Hosted By A Few Loose Threads.
Here's a pic of The Patterns we'll be using:


I love this BLOG I have been wanting to join-in on the fun of this sew-along for awhile now, I have enjoyed watching Anna's progress, and the progress of other participants, and I finally had a day-off and got my chance! I'm beginning with the Vintage French Bra Pattern, but you can start where you like..Anna has posted great photos to help you follow along..
I started with a ivory, lightweight satin..too flimsy in my estimation, so I added interfacing to all the outside pieces..I may add interfacing to the both back-band pieces, I just hadn't decided as I'm not that far-along yet. I did try out the instructions she posted on adding a lace over-lay..Sooo Easy!! Here is where I left-off for now..I'm going to try a delicate wisteria hand-embroidery design over the lace, so it will be a while longer before I'm done. This pattern is really alot easier and fun than I expected. If you would like to try it, Anna has the links to her etsy, and Artfire on her blog..Do give this a try!! Only 3 Easy Pieces!! I can see so many variations using this pattern.

The "Peggy" -esque Dress: Mad Men Sew-Along..The Finish!!

I am so excited about the premier of MAD MEN TONIGHT!! are you all ready??
I've been working on my dress for the sew-along hosted by Andrea, at
No Pattern Required. I won't bore you with all the details, but let's just
say I'm waaay too A.D.D, for my own good, and it's been quite the adventure! Beginning with salvaging my fabric which nearly frayed to shreds, to picking apart because I decided I wanted lining(I don't like inside seams..lol) to setting my sleeves first, inside-out, THEN to "correct" the situation..I set them in Up-side down!!! argh!!!..
I'd rather NOT be running around Like E-T with his arms up in the air..haa.ha..
Needless to say, my seam ripper got quite a workout! :D Sooo without further ado here's my dress which I have labored upon the last few weeks..I still think it rather plain, so I may be adding contrast top-stitching in the same blue as the buttons. We shall see. :)

Early Spring comes to Georgia

Our Ground Hog "General Beauregard Lee" was right! :)

Kitsch Finds on Sunday

I thought I'd start a new ritual.."Kitsch Finds on Sunday" Sunday's are the only day
I can slip-away from my busy family and work. A couple of weeks ago I popped into my usual haunts and spotted these adorable Lefton Blue Bird Collectibles.."swwooon" I couldn't get them out of my head, So I went back and scooped up these two little peeps for a song..I'll definitely be back for the remaining little peeps later! SO Adorable!! I'm not disclosing where they are just so noone will scoop them up before I do!..Ha! :D

Mad Men Sew-Along..Fabric choices have been made

I first posted about the Mad Men sew-along HERE
I am sooo excited!! I just made my final fabric purchases, and cant wait to get my hands on it. I ordered the turquoise linen off Ebay, and a complimentary fabric for the front pleat came from Etsy. I went for "FUN", rather than "authentic"..It probably wont match perfectly, but I don't Care! Remember, it will be for just a "Kick" of color on the inside pleat.:) This printed linen-cotton blend is just too fabulous. It's from Melody Miller's line Ruby Star Rising in Cameo..OH my GOSH!! A perfect accent to a Mad Men Themed dress!!! I never imagined I'd find a whole series of perfectly prim 60's secretaries on fabric!!

and what's a secretary without her typewriter?? I'm planning to make a typewriter themed handbag just for fun to complete the ensemble. I'll unveil the details on my plans for that at a later date. Till next time!!

January "New Embroidery Using Vintage Patterns" challenge

January "New Embroidery Using Vintage Patterns" challenge, a photo by Kitsch N Sink Studio on Flickr.

I'm starting the year off right with a finish!! Woot!! I first posted about this challenge Here.

and HERE I made it to wear while sewing..There's a handy little scissor pocket, PLUS.. who besides me is always hunting tape measures for "eye-balling" measurements?? now there it is!! sewn right to the side so that it's always ready in my lap.
and a tiny china-man pincushion at the waist, so I'll never lose my hand-embroidery needle again.I'm planning to add more scrappy bits..but the wkend(play-time) is nearly over, and "it's like the sun going down on me"..lol to para-phrase Elton John..lol. :D

Mad Men Sew-Along

Have you heard?? Mad Men begins a new season on March 25!! To celebrate, One of the gals over at No Pattern Required is hosting a Mad-Men sew-along...the pattern selected for the sew-along was inspired by the Character Peggy Olsen. while My pattern purchase isn't exactly the same, It's similar, and from the same time period. I selected this little 1964 number with a center knife-pleat flair. I'm pushing what I call, "30-15" this summer, so the double-pleat cheerleader look was a little youngish for me..:D Now, which fabrics to choose?? I've been looking for retro-inspired and I'd like to do the knife pleat in a contrast for some pizzaz, similarly as Peggy's dress. here are some of the choices I'm mulling over...
in Linen, we have this brown stuff..which i'm not wild about since I wear a BROWN Boy Scout uniform to work EVERY day..lol but with a turquoise pleat perhaps not so bad??..or maybe just go with straight-up plain turquoise??


Or maybe this plum suiting with a stripe pleat??


If YOU have a opinion, PLEASE chime-in.
Orrrr...should I stop trying for "authentic" and just have FUN? this linen with the transistor radio print sure is cute!! Although, at this angle, it looks like bathroom scales..lol Remember, Im not sold on these choices, I can be swayed..:D

January 12...Then and Now

Happy 22nd Anniversary to my Mr. Honey!! You're Still the One after All These Years!

I Survived Inventory!!!

I just finished tonight,(or was that Last night?? as it's now the wee hrs. of the morning) If computer and software systems had co-operated, I would have been done Dec. 30. OMG!!what a TOTAL nightmare!!

Resolution #2

Resolution #2, a photo by Kitsch N Sink Studio on Flickr.

Wasting time IS for the birds!
This is another design that will be added to my scrappy 2012 Resolution Apron. Some may wonder what all this stitching is about??..I'm a whimsical, sometimes creepy, figural, paper mache, sometimes cloth- (but always vintage-inspired), artiste' !!
(ar-teest) lol..well, Frankly, Its [stitching] something I can do from my couch!..honestly, since beginning a new life with a full-time job, I hadn't the energy nor the inclination for anything ambitious. It had always been my intention to get my wheels back-in-motion, and get back to my art figures, but I'm not much of a willing night-owl, so it's just not to be..not yet..Still..a creative person MUST create! So for now, I'll be stitching and hopefully something lovely will come from it. The only constant around here...is change.

Puttering on Saturday..the beginning of a collage apron

Here's a picture of what I've managed to do today..
Destroy a pair of old jeans!!..:))
This is just the foundation. I'll be mixing and matching, (or not matching)scrap fabrics,appliques and all kinds of do-dads,and trims for a new scrappy apron..
the top portion of the apron, used to be the legs, I'm rearranging the front and back
pockets..
The waistband was cut away for ..well. the waistband!..lol.it is after-all already
my size, just turned around to button-up in the back. Lazy or ingenious??? you decide..LOL...
It is a pretty fun way to spend a Saturday. Will keep ya'll posted..till next time,
happy Saturday!
Hugz,
Kristine :)

Retro Phone Purse..A real conversation piece..lol

Isn't this cool??..I don't know how I stumbled upon it..I was actually looking for something else on google when it caught my eye..It's by "Chica and Jo"
Go here for the tutorial and download

Program interruption because of inventory..

I've been working on inventory for my workplace since last Wednesday..BLAH!! it's been a nightmare, and nearly driving me insane, but I'm still working on my New Year's Resolution to look on the bright-side of things, and find some joy in it. :) I did waiver but after watching this little video, I feel ALOT better and smiling again.:)

New Year's Resolution #1

New Year's Resolution #1, a photo by Kitsch N Sink Studio on Flickr.

The flickr group "New Embroidery with Vintage Patterns" has a couple of stitch-alongs going on right now. One is to illustrate your New Year's Resolutions using vintage embroidery designs..What a FAB idea!!
Here is my first.. To stay positive and make Lemonade from Life's Lemons..:)...From this day forward, I'll be doing my best to remember to keep on the sunny side of life. :)