Remember when I said I was going to sew some spring tops for my girl?

I actually did it!

New Look 6940 Cotton knit print with black knit trim.

Variation of New Look 6891 Silky-ish poly from Hancock's, black satin band.

And check out the smiles! She likes them! AND her friend asked her if she got the blue top at Charlotte Russe! Pretty much the greatest compliment I could have received from a 14 year old girl, yes?

The Weather Report

Tomorrow, the sun is supposed to shine. Which would be a really welcome event, since it has snowed and rained and generally been cloudy and moody around here (both me and the weather).

I re-read (reread? looks weird) my post from yesterday, my whiny, whiny post. I'm embarrassed for me. I hate feeling that sorry for myself.

So, I'm not going to anymore. No more whining. No more.

Let's talk about something fun, shall we? My daughter needs some spring tops, and so I've decided during her spring break this week to try and make her some new ones. I haven't sewn any clothes in a while, so I'm looking forward to the challenge.


The first one is a super-super simple top, New Look 6891. For some reason, this is supposed to have a front seam and back seam, but I see no reason for this so I'm just going to cut it on the fold.

If it comes out well, I'll take pictures.

DIY Tutorial - Boyfriend Jeans

Really, aren't they just a basic 5-pocket jean with a roll at the bottom? Do I seriously need to go purchase new jeans to participate in this trend?

Absolutely not.

Step 1. Locate a pair of basic, 5 pocket jeans, either from your own closet or thrifted. Perfect use of thrifted jeans!

Step 2. Put on your jeans. Using chalk or pins, mark how long your want your jeans to be.

Step 3. Take off your jeans. Lay flat. Add about 3-4 inches to your mark (this will accomodate the roll at the bottom). Whack off the bottom of the jeans.

(Why cut them? Why not just roll them from the bottom? This makes for a really bulky roll. Cutting them off makes a smaller, cuter cuff.)

Step 4. Zig zag around to finish.

Step 5. Roll up the jeans. Use a few well placed stitches to hold the roll in place, if you wish.

Step 6. Distress in well chosen places, if you wish. I did this with a cheese-grater-looking-pedicure-thingie-found-at-Dollar-Tree.

Step 7. Enjoy, smug in the knowledge that you got the look without buying new jeans. You have beat the system. Congrats!

Gearing up for Halloween

Every year, one of the most fun projects is to work on a Halloween costume for my daughter. She's 13, so we have had lots of different ones. Thankfully, she hasn't outgrown the desire to dress up.

Last year, she was Lucy. This was ridiculously fun to do. She's an "I Love Lucy" fanatic - has all the DVDs - and so this choice for her was an easy one.

We started with some of her favorite looks from Lucy episodes ("I like that collar." "See the cuffs? Could we do that?") and YARDS of black and white polka dot fabric.


I found the shoes at a yard sale, unworn, for $3. They had a very retro vibe that she loved. We bought the wig at Target (I think?) in the Halloween section, but it was just a red wig. It had to be "Lucy-fied." We even made a stole at the last minute from some fake fur that I had, left over from another project.

This year, she wants to be a flapper. I am sooooo excited to start work on this ensemble! Right now I'm assembling the raw materials - fringe, shiny bobs and baubles, maybe a feather or two - and looking for inspiration. I'll post more as the project progresses.

DIY - Boyfriend Jeans

Really, aren't they just a basic 5-pocket jean with a roll at the bottom? Do I seriously need to go purchase new jeans to participate in this trend?

Absolutely not.

Step 1. Locate a pair of basic, 5 pocket jeans, either from your own closet or thrifted. Perfect use of thrifted jeans!

Step 2. Put on your jeans. Using chalk or pins, mark how long your want your jeans to be.

Step 3. Take off your jeans. Lay flat. Add about 3-4 inches to your mark (this will accomodate the roll at the bottom). Whack off the bottom of the jeans.

(Why cut them? Why not just roll them from the bottom? This makes for a really bulky roll. Cutting them off makes a smaller, cuter cuff.)

Step 4. Zig zag around to finish.

Step 5. Roll up the jeans. Use a few well placed stitches to hold the roll in place, if you wish.

Step 6. Distress in well chosen places, if you wish. I did this with a cheese-grater-looking-pedicure-thingie-found-at-Dollar-Tree.

Step 7. Enjoy, smug in the knowledge that you got the look without buying new jeans. You have beat the system. Congrats!

I think I can do this.

I love this modern bookcase makeover at BHG. I know exactly where it will go in my living room.

(My husband will be so excited that I have yet another project planned.)