Random Acts of Creativity

Friday, October 12, 2012

Tiered Maxi Skirt

I have been craving a tiered maxi skirt...so I got some fabric at Joann's - on sale, of course.

Silky prints for dresses

For the skirt

Knit remnants

The teal and black butterfly print (and yes - there are sparklies on it!) and the pink and black floral will be dresses eventually. The purple stripe is what I made my skirt from. It is kind of sheer, so as I waited in line at the cutting table I poked through the remnants and found two thin knits as potential attached slips. Either would have worked - there was just enough ivory, so I chose it for this one, the white had more than enough, so I'm saving it for a future project.

I spent a few minutes tidying the sewing room (which has become a catch-all since the semester started) and I converted my serger from cover stitch to serge again. Then I spent a little bit of time here and there working on the skirt, and a few days later - viola!

It took about 2 yards of the purple stripe (I still have 1.25 yards left - I bought what was left on the bolt) and 0.67 of a yard of the knit for the attached slip. I did a baby hem and I serged all the seams - and even figured out how to serge 'in the round', between the tiers.

I absolutely love it! And I'm thinking I will probably finish up the silver blouse that I started over the summer in the next few weeks, as long as I keep on top of my homework and don't let myself get lost in the sewing room.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

More from Studio Art

For the past three weeks, we have been doing values in my art class, and have had two assignments.

The first assignment was to draw our paper sculpture in black and white. It could be the whole sculpture or just part of it. So here is the photo of what I chose to draw next to my drawing...

The second assignment was a "Triangular Planes Portrait." We had to do a portrait in black and white using only triangles, and each triangle had to be a single value.

I am very pleased with both of my drawings, especially since I have not done anything like it since high school!

On another note I have done some sewing, and will have a finished skirt by the end of the week!!!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

School Update

So, as I figured, I have had no time to sew yet this semester. My blouse is still sitting unfinished on the serger table. But I have an art project I thought I'd share and some general school updates.

First, I switched up my schedule. The science class I signed up for just was not going to work, for a number of reasons, and my ability to do the work was not one of them. I decided to drop the science for a history that fills a different elective and I am much happier for it. Also, I have officially applied to Eastern - fingers crossed - now is the hard part, waiting for them to decide my fate!

Now, this is part of the 2nd project I have had in my art class (the first one wasn't all that exciting). We had to create a 'fierce animal' out of noting but paper, and we were limited to a single color. That being said...lo and behold my Phoenix...

And that's all I got for now - my homework needs me.....

Friday, August 24, 2012

Update

Summer break is basically over...and, as always, it went by way too fast!

Since my last post, I have not done any sewing...I have been busy with the kids and sidetracked by other things. I don't know if I will have any time to sew during the upcoming semester, but I am hoping I will have at least a little time. If for nothing else, then to at least finish the blouse that is still sitting in the sewing room.

I made the decision to add yet another class to my course load this semester, putting me up to 16 credit hours. If I can manage and I continue with more than 12 or 13 credit hours a semester I will be able to graduate a year earlier than I originally planned.

These are all my books and art supplies for the semester. Yes, there is a glue gun in the bag of art supplies! I am looking forward to the art class, it has been years since I have done anything artsy. So even if I don't get much done in the way of sewing, I may have some fun projects from my art class to share.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and I will try and post occasionally, as time permits (and if there is anything interesting to actually share).

Friday, July 13, 2012

Weekly Round Up - 7/13

This week has been a busy one. All the hustle and bustle has been out with the kids, and not one moment was spent in the sewing room. If I hadn't decided to make a weekly post with what I have (or have not) gotten done with my sewing I wouldn't even be posting this...maybe I should do a 'round-up' post monthly...

Enjoy your weekend! Hopefully, I'll actually get into the sewing room next week and get something done.

Projects Completed

none

Works in Progress

Blouse - Vogue 8772

Projects To Do

Shirred Dresses (for my friend's niece) - no pattern - shirred fabric (need to buy)
Men's Shirt (for son #1) - no pattern chosen - camo cotton
Men's Shirt (for son #2) - no pattern chosen - red/white/blue cotton
Shirt Dress - McCall's 4769 - camo floral silky in stash
Tee Shirt - Butterick 5215 - blue and grey knit in stash
Blouse - Vogue 8772 - black chiffon in stash
Jeans - Butterick 5682 - dark blue denim in stash
Dress - no pattern chosen - teal floral in stash
Dress - no pattern chosen - grey tropical print in stash
Shirt Dress - McCall's 4769 - purple poly shantung in stash
Dress - Coffee Date Dress, free Burda pattern - black/white silky print in stash
Peasant Top - Simplicity 3956 - teal paisley print in stash
Pants - Vogue 2907 view A - green suiting in stash
Men's Bi-Fold Wallet (requested by a friend) - my own design - no fabric chosen
Purse (for me) - my own design - no fabric chosen yet
Wallet (for me) - my own design - no fabric chosen yet
Dress - Simplicity 3506 view A - black/purple silky print in stash
8 Gore Skirt - self drafted pattern - cream suiting in stash
Top - princess seam bodice - red silky solid in stash
Bolero - Simplicity 3921 view ? - green velvety fabric in stash
Top - Vogue 2987 top - multi-colored knit/jersey/stretchy in stash

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Fun In The Sun

My 'baby' turned 11 this week. And we have been busy soaking up the sunshine.

Just the little man and I went to The Dinosaur Place. He had a blast and brought home lots of treasures.

A friend of mine has a single and a double kayak, so she invited us over so we could try them out. No pictures of me in them, but we all had a great time. I may have to invest in some kayaks for us in the future.

His cake was a hit. I used the idea of baking it in a bowl from this recipe, and then this frosting recipe. Not the best pictures of the cake, but you get the idea.

I have been so busy I haven't even looked in the sewing room, but I will be getting back in there....soon.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Weekly Round Up - 7/6

Because of the holiday, I only had two days to sew this week. I started working on my silver blouse, view C from Vogue 8772. Once I got to seam construction, I stopped because I was in no mood to convert my serger from cover stitch to overlock, and this fabric definitely needs to be serged. It isn't overly difficult, I just didn't want to be fiddling with it, so the blouse is sitting on the cutting table for a few more days.

source: voguepatterns.mccall.com

I am hoping to work on tracing and cutting out some patterns for future projects. That is one of the tasks I dislike most about sewing clothes ~ pattern tracing, whether it is a new pattern onto clear vinyl or just tracing the pattern onto the fabric. I find it tedious, making sure everything is properly aligned and transferring multitudes of markings, but it is a necessary evil *sigh*.

I received the jeans buttons I ordered from Dime Buttons via Amazon, but they also have a regular website.

I made a ton of cookies for a picnic/bbq we attended on the 4th. The Chocolate Chip and Chocolate-Chocolate Chip cookies were made with this yummy no-fail recipe, and I also made some No-Bake Cookies.

So, while I did not get much sewing done, it was definitely a productive week. Hope you had a great 4th and enjoy the weekend!