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.