Real Life: Live & Unscripted

My Sewing 2010

Here is my sewing year in review for 2009

I only made 26 garments this year and 42 garments last year. My goal was to sew more quality garments than quanity.  Now I will say that all of my things are very very  nice, but not always perfect. I worked this year on perfecting my sewing and you can really see a difference. Well I can anyway lol.

 

My goals for 2010:

• Sew a spring wardrobe. I already have my patterns picked out. Gonna work on picking fabrics from STASH for this lol. -- Didn't do this. I am the BEST planner, but so bad at following through. I think I do better when I just pick a couple items and NOT plan an entire wardrobe.

• Make my duvet cover and window treatments -- I did accomplish this one! YAY!

• Make a white button down shirt. -- Did this one! YAY lol

• Master a welt pocket. --nerp!

• Don't fall victim to the pattern sales. I swear they GOT ME this year lol.--FAIL lol

2011 Goals -

 

• Always remember to take my time with a project and don't rush it no matter HOW badly I want to finish.
• Sew a shirt and pants for Tony.
• Sew a shirt and pants for Aj.
• Make transitional jackets for the kids.
• Not be afraid of welt pockets, because yes I am scared.
• Get better at hemming. I swear I SUCK at it. Seriously.

That's really it.

All in all I had a really great year lol.

My favorite item this year:

Vogue 8184 I LOVE this dress! I made a different view this week to wear this weekend.

Most worn item:

Vogue 1179--I PROMISE everytime I "ran" out of the house, I threw this on. I LOVE IT. LOVEEEEEEEEEEEE lol. I made another dress this week that I believe will take it's place lol

My most trendy item:

McCall's 6078 Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE sparkly lol. Sequin is such a huge trend right now, I hadddddddddd to have a sparkly top lol. I LOVE this. I hope to wear it once more before the year is out lol.

Project FAIL!!!-

The FIYA SHIRT! -

I don't even have the picture anymore lol.

I still need to make a LBD - I made a LBR (Little Black Romper) But I won't get a chance to review that until January. I have a couple patterns in mind for my LBD so that is a must for next year.

 

And that's all I have. Do you have any goals for next year?? I'd love to hear them!

Toodles!

 

 

 

 

Seems like I forgot to share some pics lol (PICTURE HEAVY)

A few outtakes from our Christmas photo session lol.

I finally got a chance to meet Ms. Mo! LOL She had a visionboard party at her house and I made sure not to miss it! I'll be posting my Vision Board sometime next week.

The girls at Atlantic Station...

Jaelyn and my nephew. Lawd. He has gotten sooooo big :( This pic is hilarious because his dad said between the two of them they had $10,000 worth of teeth. That really is the truth lol.

Quick family pic during Kayla's Christmas Parade lol.

Went to Sips N Strokes...

LOL my lil twin lol

Just being silly! LOL

LOVE this pic!! Aj went in the room to mess with jaelyn and she came to the door fussing and Tony snapped the pic lol. HILARIOUS!!! lol

I love my hair in this Christmas morning pic lol

Love love LOVE Jaelyn's reaction to the gift Kayla gave her lol

Everybody was allllll smiles lol

Breakfast at my Mom's Christmas Morning...well that was part of it lol.

Snow flurry picture!

These games are the TRUTH!!!!!! lol

 
Love this pic of Jaelyn and my Dad. 

It was COLD at Zoolight Safari but the kids had fun. Jaelyn was at the movies with her friends lol.

I seem to be in love with sparkly polish. The girls do not have a problem with this lol.

We had Nerf wars here lol. Aj got a Nerf gun for his bday and Tony decided he had to have a bigger badder one lol. Enough said. lol

Alright...I think that's it! LOL

On my nightstand...

Here are some books that I read this year and never got around to reviewing lol. I have ONE that my friend mailed me that I'm not going to read until next week sooooo here we go:

I must say that I enjoyed them ALL except Getting To Happy. I don't know. I didn't even finish it.

My all time favorite book this year was 32 Candles.

My favorite Author this year was Jodi Picoult - Her work is so amazing to me.

What has been your favorite book this year? Favorie Author. Discover anyone new?

Toodles!

 

Merry Christmas!!!

From our family to yours!

I wear what I make...

People ask me all the time if I really wear the stuff that I make. Ummm YEAH lol.

I wouldn't spend so much time making it if I didn't plan on wearing it lol.

Here are a few pics I've snapped over the past...I don't know how long lol.

You can't see it, but The pants I'm wearing are Simplicity 2700. I LOVE that pattern!

I made this dress a couple years ago. I'm suprised I actually still like it lol.I can't remember the pattern number but it's a Simplicity dress.

I think I made this top ummm last year? It's another Simplicity that I've made a couple of times.

I made this not long ago, the top is a Vogue, and the jeans are McCalls.

I did not knit this top lol. The pants are Simplicity 2700. I promise I love this pattern lol

I think this is a McCall's dress. I love it. I remember making it to wear to dinner. Hmm need to pull this pattern back out lol.

And a shoe pic because I *heart* shoes lol

I love, love, love this cardigan. It's a little big but that's ok. Next time I make it I'll go a size down.  It's super comfy! Oh, it's McCalls. I made it not long ago lol.

The sweater and skirt are both Simplicity. I made the skirt not long ago, and the sweater maybe last year?

And of course more shoes lol.

There ya have it.

Ive been wanting to do this post for a while now. Glad I got that taken care of lol.

 

Toodles!

 

 

Hump Day Ramblings....

• You aren't a man if you let a woman run all over you. Sorry. Truth hurts.

• I have had a BALL with my twitter folks. Lawd. Too much for a Thursday night lol.

• I am in a wonderful place in my life right now. YES WONDERFUL! I will not downplay MY
• happiness because YOU are miserable. *thanks Mo* :)

• I have been a pattern/fabric cutting out fool. Too bad I won't have time to sew until MONDAY. EEK!

• We are NOT cooking a big dinner for Christmas. VERY NON-Traditional this year.

• I hate those Facebook games. I will not play lol.

• Did y'all see Prince on The View? Sherri just messed the man up lol

• I left Tony a suprise in his lunch box lol. *giggles*

• I'm keeping up with my email! WOOHOO. GO ME.

• This Ipad commercial makes me want one, even though I said I didn't want one lol.

• Someone went through 119 of my entries. When you gonna go through my WHOLE blog..atleast speak. Say hello...something lol.

• Today is my LAST day. I won't carry you into the new year. Imma burn all that shit.  *think that famous scene from Waiting to Exhale*

• 19 days

• My hair has been wrapped and in a satin cap for two days. When I leave the house I put on a hat lol.

• It pisses me the fuck off when people try and "tell" something. Bitch tell the WHOLE damn truth and NOT just the part you want everyone to know. I can't STAND that. Don't try to make yourself look good. Oh, I forgot, you don't want people to know how trifling yo ass REALLY is. Bitch. Kick rocks.

• I will be SO glad when Friday get's here. 

• I need a nap! I promise the weather has been making me extra sleepy.

• I'm ready to meet my nephew. Well, not ready yet but you know lol.

• I am kid and husband free and all I want to do is lay in bed and watch Dexter lol.

• I've been fighting a headache for three days now. Can I have a break soon? Please and thank you.

• We have flurries! The kids are excited!

• My brother is about to get a G2. lol

• A clean house is a beautiful thing!!! Too bad mine isn't lol.

• Pandora is lovely!

• Friends and associates are two different things. There IS a difference. 

• Are y'all watching RHOA? LOL Ummm yeah.

• There isn't enough time in the day.

Alright, what's going on with y'all?!!?

Dear Charming Charlie

Today I had the worst experience in your store located on Highway 280 in the Summit Shopping Center.

My family along with a close friend and her family went in to do a little shopping.

I was there on Saturday night and wanted to come back and spend some more of my money with my friend and our daughters in your store.

We walked in the store and we felt very welcomed.  While walking around the store we noticed one of your employee's following us around. She asked us twice within a five minute time frame if we needed any help. We informed her that we didn't. We kept shopping.

Our daughters walked to one side of the store and the adults were on another when they heard this same employee, call another employee over so that she could help "watch" us.

Now, we were there when the store opened at noon. There were only a few other people in the store with us. NOT ONCE WERE THEY ASKED IF THEY NEEDED ANY HELP.  The employee's on the floor were "watching" us.

Now, I'm all for "customer service" and being available to help the customer, but what I felt while I was in the store was NOT customer service. I was extremely uncomfortable and so was my family and friends.

ALL BLACK PEOPLE DO NOT STEAL.

You will loose a LOT of business if you continue to treat your customers this way.

I have all the information necessary to file a complaint and will return to your store first thing in the morning to do just that.

I am appauled at the way we were treated. Especially when we asked your employee WHY we were being followed around the store.

Charming Charlie needs to treat their customers better.

 

Signed,

A Former Customer

Vogue 8291 & Vogue 1204

I saw this pic in a magazine ad (Lucky I believe) and fell in love...

 
This tunic is actually a little longer than I would wear but I really, really loved it.

Enter Vogue 8291

Pattern Description: Tunic, fitted at bust, has neckline and sleeve variations. A: front neck opening with self ties and below elbow length sleeves. B: front neck opening with ribbon ties, elasticized at hip and sleeve. A, B: side slit and stitched hem. C: pullover with neck ruffle (unfinished edges show), empire waist with inverted pleats, elasticized sleeve, ribbon bow and stitched hem

Pattern Sizing: 14-20 I cut the 14


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

YES!
Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn't really follow them. Just kinda glanced over them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved that this was a close match to my inspiration piece lol.


Fabric Used: Poly blend from Joann's.


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I combined view A and B to get the look I wanted. I omitted the tie front, added elastic to the sleeves and I didn't add the elastic to the waist since I was going to wear a belt with it anyway.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I doubt if I make this one again but I like it. It's OOP now.

Conclusion: Really simple top that is quickly becoming a favorite.

Here are some additional pictures:

I thought I wanted a contrasting neckline and used some FOE on it. I decided I did NOT like the way it looked and just sewed it down instead of taking it all back off...

The elastic in the sleeves.

The seams of this blouse are just serged. I thought I took a picture of it but I don't see one lol.

Vogue 1204

I used both of these pics because on the second picture it looks like my shirt is pulling. It's not, I think it's just the way I was standing because it's not tight at all. 

Pattern Description: Fitted, below waistline pants has front side slant pockets, back patch pockets, fly zipper closing, back yoke, waistband, carriers and topstitch trim.

Pattern Sizing: 14-20 I cut the 14

**SIDENOTE** Sizing on denim really confuses me. Once I'd worn these all day they were huge on me. When I first put them on the fit was PERFECT. What am I doing wrong or what can I do so this doesn't happen again? Thanks for any info.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

YES!
Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn't really follow them. They are basic pants instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? When I first saw this pattern, I hated the top but LOVED the jeans! I've wanted a pair of slim leg jeans for a while now so I had to ahve this pattern.


Fabric Used: Lightweight denim


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: none

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would make this one again. The only thing I don't like about this pattern is how thin the waistband is. Simplicity 2700 is my favorite pants pattern, and one reason for that is the wide waistband. Next time I make these I will make the waistband wider.  I HIGHLY recommend this pattern.

Conclusion: Great pattern.

Here are a couple more pictures:

Back view..

Pockets. I love having fun with the fabric for the pockets lol.

I decided to go with just a blue denim thread. I still need to try some back pocket designs. Maybe on my next pair.

Hump Day Ramblings...

• I heard a song and I cried.

• WHY did I want a chiffon shirt???

• I need to make my Christmas playlist. Like RIGHT now.

• I need to clean my table. STAT.

• I'm really worried about one of my family members.

• My nails are this pretty purple. YAY.

• I get a perm in the morning!! YAY!!! WOOHOO lol. It's been like 6 months lol

• at this moment I love my GPS more than anything on earth.

• I saw devil fabric today in that same store and I smiled. Then I found myself wiping away tears.

• It still hurts.

• That made me smile. I really, really, really needed that. I almost feel better.

• EXCITED!

• Hand sewing beads / sparkly things on a dress. Well that is what I WANT to do. Wonder if it actually happens.

• I'm hungry.

• I'm cold.

• I try to stay prepared. Sometimes life happens.

• It creeps me out when I'm on the interstate close to the airport and the planes are landing.

• I hate to watch planes land. Watching them take off is pretty cool. Landing. Not so much.

• I had to go to the Walmart on Old National lol. I laughed and cried. I gotta stop that.

• I had a bo berry biscuit. I laughed lol, yep then cried.

• I'm emotional as hell.

• All I could think about tonight was being ten toes down.

• Why are my kids up coloring and its 1am?

• Wait, why am I still up.

• They girls met Trey Songz today and they were HILARIOUS lol.

• I keep reading it and everytime I do it makes me smile. That big bright sunshine smile.

• Slowly returning to my vampire ways. Its 1:31am. I was doing so good. *sigh*

• I wonder if I'll ever stop caring. If it will ever stop hurting.

• I have an ooey gooey cake in the oven RIGHT NOW. YUM

What's going on with y'all?

Adrienne's Little World, Video Edition

Ok, that's it for me. I'd love help finding a pattern for that yarn. Tomato was suggested. I'm still looking. I'm a tight TIGHT knitter sooooo lol

Alright, y'all have a good night!
Toodles!!!

Hump Day Ramblings....

• How long has it been since I rambled? LOL

• MAN, sometimes things are "rooted" deeper than you realize.

• I finally lost the extra ten pounds I was trying to get rid of. It feels good.

• Now I need to KEEP it off.

• ZUMBA for the wii is INSANE!!

• Did I tell y'all that Netflix for the wii is like the best thing ever?

• OMG I'm HOOKED ON DEXTER!!!!!!!!!!! My twitter buddies were always talking about it lol. NOW I KNOW WHY!

• Thanksgiving was wonderful! I love my family. They really are the best!

• I KNIT! I guess y'all already know that now huh?

• I'm already working on another project!

• I need to sew a few semi-formal type dresses. Well TWO, but those need to be started ASAP.

• I've been trying to send myself a pic and I can't. Well it won't go through for some reason. Hmmm

• IT'S ALMOST DECEMBER!!!! OMG! This year has gone by SO fast!!!

• It's 1am. Let me go to bed lol.

• I'm making progress. Trying to get it done before the new year. I don't even want a residule memory in 2011.

• LAWD! Tonight. SMH. Just wow. Thankfully I don't need bail money.

• It's 12:48am and I'm up sewing lol. LOVE this time of night/morning lol

• Somedays I'd rather drag my toenails down a chalk board than have a conversation with you.

• I just changed my netflix plan so I can get 3 dvds at a time. That will work until I finish watching season 3 and 4 of Dexter. Then I'll change it back to the 1 dvd at a time plan :)

• I'm really looking forward to this weekend!

• THIRTY DAYS AND I AM SO NOT READY!

• Whew, almost finished with these "skinny leg jeans". I've been working on them FOREVER.

• Funny how stuff changes when folks feel guilty. Umm hmmm I see you.

• It's 12:32am I will NOT return to my Vampire ways lol. Goodnight lol

• Well, I'm going through my email lol.

• Ok it's 1:15am GOODNIGHT lol

• So Jaelyn asked if it was really hot in a sauna. I laughed, then got a little sad. 

• **wonders**

• OMG, it's DECEMBER!

 

Ok, y'all ramble. What's going on with y'all?