Quality Time

skirted.

2009-12-07T03:29:00.000-08:00

I'm sewing! Well not right this second. Right this second, I'm typing a blog post and curled up on the couch in my birthday snuggy (the goofiest, but best birthday present! The kiddos got me a snuggy and a book, and I have a hard time convincing myself to get out of it.)

I traced this yesterday. It's BWOF 12/09 #122:
Cute little skirt, but I really like the back view. The triangular flanges you see on the front view are part of a crescent shaped piece that creates a cute flounce in the back. Vaguely similar to the Hotpatterns Flippy skirt, if you have that pattern. The crescent just goes in the opposite direction vertically (Ugh. It's too early to be thinking).

That's a good thing, because while I love the look of the line drawing of the HP skirt, I'm not sure my bum needs to be hugged by that seam line. The BWOF skirt has more of a swishy effect, moving away from the bum. Aren't you glad I take the time to piece all this together for you?

Here's the garment view from Burda's website, which is kind of screwed up it seems. This particular skirt doesn't have a line drawing link. I found the teeny tiny line drawing (which I enlarged a bit) in the "table of fabric amounts" link. I hope they don't go to "no line drawings" on the website the way Simplicity did at first!! That's the only way you know what the garment looks like half the time!!

Their version is in fine wale corduroy, and I would totally use the same if I had any in stash! I never seem to find it in my local store and never think about ordering it online until I want to make a project.

I'm using a faded (on purpose) red gabardine I've had lying around forever. I once had it earmarked for Simplicity 4068 trouser/pants, shown in this storyboard (still one of my favorite plans):

Such a fun, happy summer SWAP plan! I actually made two of these garments, the black capri's and the red print knit top. I used the dotted georgette for another top that was very similar to the one shown in the plan. I blogged about it in January.

Hopefully I can work on the little skirt throughout the week. It looks pretty straightforward. I need to read the construction instructions. (Is the Conjunction Junction song playing in your head now, the way it is in mine?)

I'm especially wondering about the zip...it has a side zip marking on the pattern but the "real" photo clearly has a fly zip. Really? I'm doing one or the other, not both. Right now I'm leaning toward fly front, because I don't think I have a red invisible zip (and my idiotic local Wal-Mart got rid of all sewing supplies except elastic. Actually even elastic may be gone by now.)

Getting late...Have a Marvelous Monday!!

retro.

2009-12-05T08:23:00.000-08:00

Beangirl got me up and surfing early this morning. heh. While at MyShape I discovered a few clearly 80's influenced outfits. (We really were the best decade for music and...music.)

I'll admit I might venture into a blast from my past long enough to revisit the low-slung belt a'la this......
but this just ain't happenin:Remind me if I forget in the midst of a mid-life crisis.

whew.

2009-12-04T17:12:00.001-08:00

Ok, where did November go?? Have I already mentioned it like totally up and ditched me this year? I went straight from Halloween to Christmas. I hope the next couple of weeks sloooow down so I can enjoy them.

So, I guess you know your blog has finally made it when you get hit heavy by the spammers n' the haters. Right?

Note to spammers...I delete you.

Note to anonymous hate & run commenters...I delete you.

Note to all the wonderful, creative, fabulous girls (& guys), anonymous or otherwise, from around the world who pop in for a visit now and then... I heart you. Thanks for leaving me messages, sending sweet emails, giving awards, and most of all, for coming back.

You're the reason I keep writing.

a Yiruma song

link via youtube

a-dorable.

2009-12-01T16:59:00.000-08:00

Zooey Deschanel, I mean. Could she get any cuter?

I'm especially enamored of her Cotton commercial, and this skirt in particular is my favorite piece (I think! I love everything she wears in the commercial!)

That's a screenshot of the cotton commercial, so not the clearest. Here's another view, from behind.

I'm loving the exposed zip!! Anyone know of a tutorial somewhere for that look? I've seen it in RTW but I don't know that I've seen it in BWOF or another pattern co.??

If you haven't seen the commercial, you can watch it in entirety on their website here. You can also watch the other commercials in their new campaign, I like all of them!! Very interesting and fun marketing. I like the "Stylebook" aspect of the site too.

I was thinking this New Look pattern I have in stash would be a great starting point:

And I have this McCall's too:

Of the two, I think I prefer the NL, because I've already muslined the McCalls and it takes a LOT of fabric. It's pleated, THEN gathered. It's very full, which is nice I suppose. I'm not sure Zooey's skirt is quite that full.

My fabric is a cotton/linen blend. It's this fabric (in the pants) but in black & white.

Zooey's skirt fabric appears to be a voile or other lightweight fabric, but I'd freeze my tush off (even with tights) and I really want to wear it now with one of my new cute cardigans I got from Old Navy last week!

I need some ribbon for trim too. (I think the stripe is just part of the print in Zooey's skirt, but I really like it.) Grosgrain would probably work, if I could find it that narrow. Velvet I could find this time of year in that narrow width, but would be a pain to stitch on.

So...that's what I've been doing so far as sewing goes this week! Mostly daydreaming about projects. Do you ever get so overwhelmed by all the things you WANT to make that you get paralyzed by the indecision of where to start?

Now because I have Zooey fluffy bunny happiness in my head, I'm going to go watch me some of this:

link via youtube for song!

a very domo christmas

2009-11-28T07:33:00.000-08:00

If you've been on the nets for any amount of time, you're most likely familiar with this little guy:

It's Domo Kun, originally a Japanese television mascot, now harbinger of cute on the internet.

Since I've had all that mute and lounge-y on the couch time (btw, I can actually speak today! Like, out loud and everything! This is the first day I've been able to really talk --hoarsely, but actually talk-- in 10 days.) I decided to borrow Domo's cuteness for an ornament tutorial. Cause Domo's love Christmas too!

Here he is hanging out on my tree with my blown glass Santa's:

Really? Does it get any cuter?? Let's get started!

You'll need to grab this pattern: A Very Domo Christmas pattern. It's a pdf, so make sure you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed to open it! You'll also need:
~Wool blend felt in tan/brown, red, and cream.
~3/8" black buttons for eyes **you could also use black felt for eyes!
~Matching embroidery floss or thread (tan & black)
~Optional: Fabric Glue like FabriTac

Domo is really simple to sew, and he's all hand-stitched, so perfect to whip up while watching those holiday movie marathons! You could have a whole army of Domos!

Cut all pieces from the felt as shown on the pattern. Domo's body is one pattern piece, except for the bottom.

Attach the teeth to the red mouth with a little FabriTac (or just baste them in place).

Trim away the opening for the mouth from the body piece as marked. Don't make this too large! Cut inside the markings, or the red mouth won't cover the opening from inside.

Center the mouth/teeth piece behind the open rectangle. Secure to the body with a small running stitch. You can see my running stitch in the photo below. Don't make this perfect! I think it has more charm if its a little crooked.

I dug around in my vintage button tins for 3/8" black buttons. They seem to be the perfect size for this pattern! Attach now, while the pattern is still flat!

Next, line up one side "arm" of the pattern with the body front. You're basically making a little box. Use matching embroidery floss and whip stitch the sides together. Repeat for all sides.

Attach the bottom piece (the extra rectangle) to the sides and the front using a whip stitch. You're domo should be looking similar to this now:

We're going to leave one section open to stuff though, in this case, the "back" edge:

Stuff with fiber fill, poly fill, or your favorite stuffing! Not tooo firm though. You don't want to lose the nice boxy shape Domo has. Make sure to get some in the corners at the top of his head before stuffing the body.

Finish whipstitching the back opening closed!

Rawr.

Now, he's pretty darn cute just sitting around all boxy. But to hang him on the tree, he needs a ribbon hanger. I used an 1/8" red satin ribbon, knotted in a loop. Attach the loop to Domo's head by placing 1 or 2 French Knots in the center of the loop, right smack in the middle of his head:

And that's it! He's ready to hang from your favorite spot on the tree!

Just not too near any kitty ornaments. ;)

Domo would be a great hand stitching project for your young stitching buddies too! It involves basic skills: running stitch, whip stitch, sewing on a button. It's also a quick fix project for those empty Saturday afternoons!

I get my wool blend felt in packages of assorted colors from Prairie Point Junction. They're a friendly, fast shipping company & I recommend them!

giving thanks.

2009-11-26T07:22:00.000-08:00

~I'm stupidly thankful for my children, G-man and Lu, who light up my life every single day. There were times I simply couldn't have gone on if it weren't for them.

~I'm thankful for my family who makes me fruit loopy crazy (but then, that's probably where my sense of snark came from!)

~I'm thankful for my amazing friends who astonish me all the time with their generosity.

~I'm thankful for my students, who break my heart when they grow up and go, but then do surprise visits on my birthday and make it all better.

~And I'm thankful for all of YOU! Who keep coming back, even though I'm almost never consistently on topic, and frequently breaking my own promised planned projects, and flit from one subject to another until my own head spins. But at least its never boring.

While this is more of an American holiday, it's never a bad thing to give gratitude! So I'm wishing all of you, near and far, a Happy Thanksgiving!! I'm smooshing you all together in a great big hug right now! (Even those who have a tiny bubble. Deal.)

Now I'm off to fix my sweet potato casserole and deviled eggs and broccoli salad...Wow. I'm super hungry. And finish watching the Macy's parade!! My favorite!!

Have a fabulous day! Safe travels for those of you on the road.

aged.

2009-11-24T00:29:00.000-08:00

If you do, it's because I'm making this one from Ree! I make a mean Texas Sheet Cake (a near clone of Ree's), and I'm gonna try out her recipe today. Because...

it's my birthday!!

Say...I look pretty good for my age.

Famous Last Words
My Chemical Romance
link via youtube

shazam.

2009-11-22T16:56:00.001-08:00

Me, Lu and StickGirl have switched sides.

Team Jacob!

(We loved New Moon. What say you?)

muted.

2009-11-20T14:06:00.000-08:00

It's been kinda quiet around here. You know, since I woke up yesterday and discovered I was mute.
I'm basically Marcel Marceau. Except less creepy. And a girl.

Now I'm on the good meds, and a strict "no voice use" mandate for at least 2 days. That means it will be quiet around here for most of the weekend. The opera singing while vacuuming will have to wait for another day.

Stickgirl & I have plans to go see this on Sunday!

Aunty Christy, if youre reading, you should come with us! (I'll text you!) Stickgirl thinks the mute thing is just Too. Damn. Funny. (She would.)

After I spend the next day or two lying around in my pj's, I hope to muster up the willpower to trace & cut out a BWOF project or two. And a HP tee I've been meaning to make for, oh, 4 months or more? --Sorry Dawn! ;)-- But mostly this weekend, I plan to sleep and watch Christmas movies.

And make obscene hand gestures when people pretend they don't know what I need/want/mean. (just kidding. I would never do that.)

“We need to find God,
and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness.
God is the friend of silence.
See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence;
see the stars, the moon and the sun,
how they move in silence...
We need silence to be able to touch souls.”
--Mother Teresa

ick dos.

2009-11-18T15:44:00.001-08:00

Thank you for the well wishes! You're all so sweet and motivating.

I'm still sick though.

Sooo....wish harder!

just kidding.
(sort of.)

Good news? I slept til 5:12 am this morning!

Bad news? My eye was swollen shut. Grrr. My flu/cold/thing has migrated into my ear/eye/and chest. Lovely.

Better news?? E.L.F. Cosmetics sent me a coupon for 50% off their mineral makeup! So I'm sharing it with you! I have just gotten my first order from them and I love my 2 mineral eye shadows! They are beautiful.

Be sure to check out their regular stuff too. Most of it is 99 cents, and everything I've tried is great quality. I love the lip glosses! They are creamy, smooth, not sticky, and have 15 SPF. That's pretty impressive for 99 cents! Here's their website, Eyes.Lips.Face.

ick.

2009-11-15T15:56:00.000-08:00

This has been my companion the past few nights...

Just a little under the weather! Hopefully back to my bloggy self in a few days.
(and I really needed to bump that hideous Demi post down the page a bit. It creeps me out.)

egad.

2009-11-11T18:25:00.000-08:00

There really are no better words for this...

or this...

But if there were words, you know Tom & Lorenzo have our backs.

My favorite quote from their amazingly spot on spout off:

"There's a certain class of Hollywood women who have dieted and surgically altered themselves to the point where they really don't look like people."

and

"Imagine what she sees when she looks in the mirror. Imagine the kind of stress and self-image that causes you to go to the extremes required to look like that."

My thoughts?? There's a reason I never have any (yes, I said ANY) fashion magazines in my house. BWOF is as close as you'll ever find here.

You see, I am the mother of a daughter. The less she is exposed to that crackpipe of reality above, the better.

(A big thanks to my girl Shannon for pointing me to the article today. I'm usually a day late and a dollar short on TLo's blog. )

v.

2009-11-10T17:05:00.000-08:00

Dear Vee,

I remember my preteen, not-yet-geeky self falling for your sneaky ways. Marc Singer was so totally yummy in that floppy hair, post David Cassidy-era way.

But the gerbil gave me nightmares. Can the new V's be vee-gan? (teehee)

Smooches,

a.

Favorite Things Prairie Girl

2009-11-09T03:38:00.000-08:00

A fall/winter variation on a summery, cotton dress/top pattern. Sorry, it's a headless picture day. My hair is a MESS. Sadly, I'm wearing my new riding boots too, but you'll have to wait til later to see them I guess!

While I was snoop shopping the other day, I ran across this Nanette Lepore:

and noted that the bodice shaping was very similar to this Favorite Things Prairie Girl pattern:

Remember, I made this one before this year, in a cotton print:

I'm always excited to get to make a pattern again, especially in a very different fabric choice or look! That gives me more bang for my buck! Why don't I do more of this??

For my plaid version, I made the dress length and kept the sleeve frills. I didn't have enough fabric to try to duplicate the very cool drape on the Lepore dress, so I thought another little 'extra' oomph would be nice. I actually like the little frills, even if I feel just a tad Daughter Judy.

I got the fabric at Hobby Lobby last fall, and it's a poly blend. It didn't press easily, but it wasn't impossible to get a crease eithier. I like it because that "red" stripe is actually hot pink! And the coloring of the plaid is such that I can go black OR brown with boots/tights/etc.

The bodice shaping is just a dead ringer for the Lepore dress though:

Construction was easy since I've made it before. The only snag I ran into was that the sizing was off. The first time I tried it on (only needing hems. OF COURSE.), it was about 2 sizes too big! I didn't realize I'd lost that much weight since summer, but apparently I've lost a little. I had to basically take the dress apart at the shoulder seams & side seams, and also take up the bodice seam in front too. I shortened at the hem about 2.5" too, since I prefer knee length and this is below-knee as drafted.

Now, back in the summer I did have some sizing issues, especially with the bustline being too low (no FBA for this, not even lowering the empire seam!) but I had adjusted the pattern at that time, and thought the next one would be perfect. I'm just writing down all my changes on the instruction sheet before I forget, so maybe the NEXT one will be perfect!

Here's one more peek!

My grass is still really green in the back yard, but all my pretty leaves are gone. Sniff. Next thing we know it will be snowing! Eek!

want.

2009-11-08T07:55:00.000-08:00

I hesitate to say need. :P But...I SERIOUSLY WANT THIS:

Back view:

And it's even by one of my favorite Project Runway alums, Jillian Lewis.

Beyonce first sported it in May:

And I found another view online (from Celebrity Fashion Tips) that has a good view of the lining & ruffle construction. Yay! The trench is fully lined, and the "peplum" has the ruffle sandwiched between outer/inner coat. The ruffle appears to be of the circular flounce variety (I think if you click the image you'll get a large enough view to see this):

With all the trench patterns BWOF cranks out, there has to be one with a peplum, or at least a seam...right? It's almost trench meets riding jacket in the back. Hmmm. This one will require some thought.

Meanwhile I'll keep lusting.

Simplicity 2863

2009-11-06T15:54:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to get home early enough to snap a photo of this all week! Remember my first post about this Built By Wendy dress?

Well, a whole month later, I finally finished it! Click for a really big picture! Note how the camera couldn't focus on those crazy stripes!

So two things I should say now that you've seen it.
1. I have a neck. I must have misplaced it for this photo shoot.
and
2. This dress doesn't have a black banded hem. It's just the shadow from the flash.

Anywho...I wore it Monday with black leggings, my black turtleneck, & a pair of cute black ankle boots (which I cut off here. Still haven't quite got the hang of my new tripod and completely FORGOT I have a remote for the Nikon, so was using the 10 second timer. Doh.)

But back to the dress...here's the back view (which I rarely show on the net! So enjoy! But no need to click for the super size version. Really.)

And here's an up close view of the ruching at the back waist, the only thing providing shape to this dress:

I especially like this cropped picture because my butt looks rather small. This photo should have that rearview mirror disclaimer: Objects in these photos are larger than they appear...

About the pattern (because who knows if I'll ever get around to reviewing it!) It was super easy to construct because it has cut on sleeves (making it a 4 seam dress!) And the hardest part of construction is the ruching back. You could definitely do elastic thread in the bobbin for this, but the pattern has you sew a strip of fabric to the back, stitch channels, then run elastic through the channels.

Now, had my brain been functioning when I was sewing this, I would have done this FIRST, before sewing the side seams. Instead, I read the instructions and they have you do this AFTER you sew the side seams and I blithely followed along. Um, that's 10 times harder to maneuver. I perservered though, and it's pretty straight. Honest. (Next time I'll be doing the channel thing first though.)

I used a really drapey rayon/poly/lycra knit in flaming red, with a black burnout stripe. It seems really see-through until you put it on and then it's actually not. I can't explain it, but I did wear it to school, and I didn't get arrested.

Next up is that Nanette Lepore plaid dress knock off with my Favorite Things dress pattern. Scroll down to the snoop post to view it, I'm too lazy to go find the link. Happy Friday!!

NanoWriMo

2009-11-02T18:50:00.000-08:00

A funny word for a fun month of words. NanoWriMo kicked off yesterday! It stands for National Novel Writing Month. I've never participated but I'm interested enough to give it a go!

Basically, you write a 50,000 word (really rough) draft of a novel in 30 days. Like hard and fast, no holds barred, furiously writing without editing, FUN. Or at least it sounds fun to me! I used to be the worst about stopping and reading and rewriting and editing that I never got anywhere. I'm better now, but this could be a real test of my fortitude.

Anyone want to join me??

www.nanowrimo.org

snoop.

2009-11-01T06:46:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I forgot to turn back my clocks, and I've been sitting here thinking the morning has flown by when...woot! No, it hasn't!

What was sucking up the morning hours you ask?? Sephora. And Old Navy. And MyShape.com. Just some snoop shoppin that turned into some Christmas shoppin and a little bit of just because shoppin.

Use this code to get 20% off your order at Sephora through tomorrow!

ff2009

Use this code to get 30% off your order at Old Navy through 11/8:

ONSTUFF30

And try this one if you're an avenue.com shopper for 25% off (I got some super cute boots for my wide calves for $31! ps...Silly calves.)

AV81131

I'm actually a regular Sephora shopper (online and in the store) and I didn't get this coupon emailed to me. I ran across it online this morning, and since I'm out of foundation (and I have expensive taste) I went ahead and ordered. I'm trying the Smashbox liquid foundation. I've heard good things.

Smashbox is pricey, but my favorite primer is their PhotoFinish Primer (I usually just pick up the travel size for $17, it lasts forever):

and my favorite cream gel eyeliners are theirs too. I really, really like Image, a dark metallic green:

and Process was my favorite brown (but is no longer available unless you can find an old palette that has it. Sad.) Putty looks like a close match though:My very favorite cream eyeliner they made was called Crop, and it was a gorgeous dark gold, but when you put it on, it was almost "black". Really pretty.

I'm a Bare Minerals girl as a rule, but in the winter I'm just too dry for the mineral powder foundation. Last year I switched to a couple of drug store brands (Loreal True Match is my favorite, but Revlon Colorstay works well too if you can stand the thick formula--especially after wearing Bare Minerals! I typically can't, so I'm interested to see if I like the Smashbox liquid foundation.)

Then I ventured over to ON where I did a bit of Christmas shopping for a girl I know, and picked up a pair of (gasp) skinny leg jeans for me. Ok, not really skinny leg (which would be a horrible DON'T on me, but skinny-er leg so I can tuck them into boots if I feel the urge.)

THEN I ventured over to myShape.com because I love the no-brainerness of their outfit shopping experience. I heart Betsey Johnson, which can't really be that surprising to you, can it?

Also feeling the love for this Nanette Lepore:And it features a surprisingly easy to recreate bodice shaping/neckline in this pattern by Favorite Things (Prairie Girl):

Bonus...I've already made it and loved it!

Other things that struck my fancy on the myShape site...(and I'm not even a vest person):

As long as we're doing vests, I love this. Hate on me if you dare, it's calling my name.

Love the seaming on the dress, love the military styling of the coat...so time consuming. Sigh.

I'm pretty sure I have half a dozen BWOF's to dupe this coat.

Wow, I just realized how colorless all of these are (save the one Betsey Johnson dress). I should probably go snoop some more, huh?

We haven't had a song in a while, and this one's been stuck in my head for 4 days. Now it will be stuck in yours. Enjoy!

follow the jump to have a listen!

Keane- Somewhere Only We Know

wow.

2009-10-29T04:51:00.000-07:00

Where did flipping October go?? Holy cow.

SUNDAY is November. NOVEMBER. As in turkey and Christmas shopping and cold weather and Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade NOVEMBER. Crazy times.

I've been quiet lately, just busy! Our "block" rolls over mid-October at school, so I get all new classes and I'm usually swamped in the beginning, as you well know if you've followed me for any length of time! I'm thinking sewing, if that counts.

I did something crazy insane last week for my new classes. I opened a wordpress blog (blogger is blocked at school) to use as a "newsletter" format for my kids & their parents. Now I just have to find time to update it regularly! I know I've got lots of teachers out there in the audience, so if you happen to teach Business Ed or FACS like me, feel free to pop over and see if there's anything usable to you & your classes!

blog here!

(Oh, and its just a page right now, I was serious when I said I haven't posted yet! HA! That's on today's agenda.) Wordpress was pretty easy to setup, too. If you're a teacher and looking for a way to keep parents & kids involved, I'd recommend giving Wordpress a try! Our admin encourages those types of connections with home. I thought being a veteran of the blogworld, a blog was my best option.

Let's see...what else have you missed this month?? OH! Have you ever heard of Coastal Scents? If you're a youtube video junkie like me (Trudy started it all) you may have seen makeup tutorials videos. Well, one of my favorites, makeupbytiffanyd, did a review of eyeshadow palettes that Coastal Scents sells. I know it sounds like a candle company, but this place gets GREAT reviews all over the net on their makeup AND their makeup brushes. Their prices are spectacular! I just ordered several brushes and this palette:

It's the 88 Warm Palette. LOVE the colors and I can't wait for it to get here! I'm a little sad I didn't see the gel eyeliners before I purchased, because those are my favorite formula (Smashbox being my favorite brand) and I'd love to try a few. Darn.

Lastly (because I'm going to be late if I don't get wrap this up!) I got my November BWOF Wednesday! Woot! I LOVE this. I love a few other things too, but this is my favorite:

Line drawing:

Might forgo the shoulder ruffles, but who knows. I've been known to throw caution to the wind before! Again, as you well know. Toodles!

late bloomer.

2009-10-22T16:16:00.000-07:00

Look what was waiting for me in my (currently) bare patch of flowerbed this afternoon when I got home:

She's beautiful, especially against the gorgeous fall colors in my front yard.

This is the tree in all its glory (not even fully turned yet!)

These colors are amazing.

Happy fall!

merry.

2009-10-14T05:11:00.001-07:00

Can't help myself. Played with charm packs.

and fat quarters.

Not enough of any to do much with...possible table runner or wall hanging ahead!

witchy-poo shoes.

2009-10-11T07:25:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again! You know, when my inner craft geek comes to life and wants to MAKE and stuff.

And just in time for some Halloween decorating, I bring you a witchy-poo shoes pattern and tutorial. Enjoy!

You'll need 2-3 coordinating, witchy fabrics; 8 eyelets (& the insertion tool); thread; polyfill for stuffing; and the Witchy Poo Shoe Pattern. This is just a preview. Make sure you visit my flickr HERE to download the full size pattern!
Cut 4 shoe pieces from your body fabric. Also cut one strip 1.5" x 10" for the hanging loop. Tear one 1" strip the full width of the fabric (45") for the ties. You'll want to tear each side instead of cutting so you have nicely frayed ties! Cut this strip in half.

Use your eyelet tool and a hammer to insert 2 eyelets on each shoe piece. I completely forgot to mark the eyelet placement on the pattern! I hope you can guesstimate using the photos below. Just remember that you have 1/4" seam allowances, and your sewing machine foot needs to clear the eyelet when stitching the shoe together too. Place your eyelet at least 5/8" away from the cut edge.

To insert the eyelet, carefully poke a hole through your mark with the point of your scissors. I turn my scissor point back and forth too, to make a little "circle".

Insert the eyelet with the prongs to the wrong side of the fabric. You'll place the tool over the prongs and tap with a hammer until it lies flat.

Repeat for all 8 eyelets (4 per shoe)!

Now you're ready to sew! Start stitching at the top front of the shoe, right sides together, leaving the opening for the hanging loop. Stitch down and around the toe point. I stopped after getting the pointy toe all stitched, but before I started on the bottom of the shoe.

You have to insert the ties now, before stitching the rest of the shoe! Or you'll kick yourself later. (You'll see that I did just that on one of the shoes. Kicking ensued.)

Spread the two halves flat, and roll the end of one of the ties into a point like so:

Insert it into a bottom eyelet from the right side, and thread like you would shoes. The ties go IN at the bottom outlet and OUT at the top. Cross on the wrong side or just go straight up to the top eyelet, it will never show, so doesn't matter!

Place the shoes right-sides-together again and continue stitching around the bottom and heel portion of the shoe on your sewing machine. Trim your corners and clip all of the curves so you will have a nice smooth seam when you turn right side out!

Fold in the long edges of the hanging loop (the 1.5" x 10" piece) and press. Fold again so that the folded edges meet, and you've created a long tube. Stitch close to the folded edge. I used contrasting thread so you could see better, and because I'm lazy. ;)

Now we're going to insert the hanging loop. Below, I've stitched all the way around, leaving an opening for stuffing on the back of the shoe (above the heel), and a smaller opening at the top of the shoe, near the back seam for the loop.

Thread the loop through the stuffing opening and then through the loop opening like so:

Stitch across, catching the loop in the seam! Trim off the excess loop.

Turn your shoe right side out and admire how cute it already is:

Begin to stuff! I use a bamboo skewer (if I can find it) like you use for shish kabobs to poke out tiny places like the pointy toe of this shoe. But you can also sub in anything narrow, like a pencil. Just be careful not to poke a hole in the point! Use the skewer to poke your stuffing all the way into the point. You'll want it nice and firm. Continue stuffing until full!

I used a plain jane whipstitch to close the stuffing opening.

Repeat all of the above steps to create your second shoe (obviously you can wait and stuff at the same time too. I'm impatient to see the finished product so I stuffed as I went.)

To insert the hanging loop in the second shoe, just follow the same procedure, threading the loop through the stuffing opening and up through the loop opening. It should be plenty long enough, even a stuffed shoe pair won't be in your way to stitch it closed!

The last little bit of crafty fun includes my favorite, glitter. I painted a translucent fabric paint randomly over the stars on each shoe, and sprinkled super fine glitter over the paint before it dried. Just to give it an extra punch of pretty!

Tie your raggedy ties in a cheeky bow:

And if you have some (I didn't have any handy) stitch a jingle bell on the point of the toe...preferably one that's been painted black (or whatever color matches your fabric). Now hang your witchy poo shoes from a door knob, on a Halloween wreath, from a dresser pull...wherever you might like to spot a touch of whimsy during the spooky season.

Don't forget to let me know if you used the pattern! I'd love to see! Flickr group pool HERE!!

ps...Don't you think these would be uber adorable as ELF shoes for the holidays too??!!

safari saturday.

2009-10-10T14:22:00.001-07:00

A couple of miles from my house, live a few (hundred) of my favorite animals. We went over for a visit this afternoon because...

a) The weather was spectacular.

and

b) I have a new camera/lens kit! (Nikon D40). Still waiting for my longer zoom to arrive, but it doesn't matter for the safari, because the animals come to YOU. Case(s) in point to follow:

Not close enough? How about here:

Positively the closest I've ever been to a zebra.

So...even though I refused to roll down the window, he still agreed to walk away and pose pretty for the camera.

Say CHEESE!

Camel's never fail to crack me up.

And look at this sweet baby:

And there's no deer season in this park. Beautiful animal.

My little shutterbug, practicing her skills (we took two cameras, my Canon Powershot S3 IS and the Nikon D40).
Lu is really interested in photography, and since you really can't fail with natural light, I thought it a great day to teach her some of the basics.

My girl is gorgeous. Just sayin.

I hope you had a spectacular Saturday too! You can see more safari Saturday pictures on my flickr, HERE.

moonstruck.

2009-10-09T04:21:00.000-07:00

NASA sent a rocket (or possibly 2 rockets) into this spot on the moon this morning to look for water:

I'm watching live at 6:30 a.m. on NASA's website. Impact in 3 minutes! I'm sure the video will be ready later to watch too.

Is there anything cooler than a NASA systems check?

"Guidance?"

"Go flight."

smocked

2009-10-04T07:53:00.000-07:00

Smocking for grownups over at anthro:

Super in love with the bleeding red and clashy magenta living together on the same top.

Which calls for a song...

have a listen HERE!
link via youtube