Glasses

As many of you probably know, I'm an Interior Design student at a community college, and I'll graduate in May with an AA.  I went back to school when my eldest daughters started college -- but in a field that many people go into later in life.  Especially women, when their kids are starting to leave.  That made it a lot easier for me, since I wasn't the old lady with all these young kids in the classes.

Anyway!  I'm always on the lookout for new, creative ideas both with sewing and with design.  I saw this on Pinterest, pinned from a blog called "Storage and Glee." 

 What a great idea, right?

I am a serious sucker for storage.  The Container Store is absolute heaven for me.  So when I see an idea like this, I immediately make a mental note.  Or I write it in my blog as my mental note clipboard is usually full. 

As it happens, I am living now in my mother-in-law's house.  She has moved to assisted living, where she has a wonderful little 2-bedroom apartment.  It is small, and she took most of her stuff -- well, most of her furniture.  I am slowly sifting through the rest of the house so I can move us in.  It's a s-l-o-w process.  Seriously.  Snail's pace.  Largely because I have all this school stuff to finish up for the semester.

In the course of cleaning out one of the closets, I found these. 

I immediately thought "recycle bin!"  My husband, who has been substitute teaching at the local vocational school, thought "horticulture department!" 

And then I saw that photo on Pinterest.  (which, by the way, you should follow in case you do not).

So I'm wondering if I could do something like that.  The question is, what would these former flower vases hold?

I'm also wondering if I should just do something like this:

I dunno.  Feel free to offer suggestions.  I'm gonna think on it while I go write proposals, read George Sands, and draw a floorplan for a hobby store.  I know, I know.  Y'all wish you were me.  : )

Your Own Croquis

I know, I know, I already posted today and whined a lot.  But this is so cool!  I had to share it with you.

For some time I have been frustrated by the vast chasm that exists between what I see in my mind and what I see in real life -- as it applies to the clothing I make.  I think the problem is that I don't have an accurate picture of myself.

This is common to those of us who really like a particular style -- except it doesn't always flatter us.

The answer?  How about an outline of me, on which I can "try on" clothing before I make it?  Dressmakers often use a Croquis (pronouced croa-kee, it's french).  These are great for designers.

And here's a tutorial, using Gimp, which is free and very like Photoshop.  I'm going to try it when I get some time, when the school projects are finished and all the traveling is done.  If you give this a go, let me know how it turns out. 

Make Your Own Croquis

Kinda looks like this -- only it's you!

Whine, whine, whine. And then whine some more.

Today in Jen's Sewing Room.  Uh, what?  What sewing room?

I am so tired of moving this "studio" from one house to another.  Pardon me while I whine.  And I would like some cheese with my whine, thank you very much.

I have to recover my table, because I trashed it with the last school project I did -- a model of a room in a house.  I am about to re-trash it with another model, this time a restaurant.  Besides that, I have to go through the boxes and boxes and boxes and boxes and boxes. . .

. . . and boxes . . .

of my fabrics to find one suitable for covering the table.  I'd like a piece of plexiglas to cover that, but since they're $200+ for that size and my budget (budget?  What budget?) is non-existent, I am resorting to clear vinyl.

Wanna whine with me?  Here's the current state of things:

So somebody shoot me or I'd better get good and drunk with all this whining.  Bleah.

I'll be back when I'm in a better mood.  : (

Angela Kane is hosting a class!

If you're like me, you love Angela Kane's YouTube videos.  I'm not a paid subscriber, but I am a free member of her website, which is AngelaKane.com.

I got an email saying that she was hosting some free classes via PowHow.  PowHow is beta testing, and they are offering free classes from various people. 

Angela is hosting 3 classes.  Go here to find out more:

PowHow.com

I've registered for the sewing jersey class.  Try one of these!  You'll love it!

xoxoxox

Seriously?

It's been since last September since I wrote here?  Seriously?  Wow.

A lot has happened since last September.  I moved from my house in October to a much smaller house -- but was able to keep my "studio."  Then I moved again a couple of weeks ago -- January 25 -- to another house about 4 states away.  We're settled for the time being, but no sewing room as yet!  I thought I'd put together the kitchen first . . .

But I am chomping at the bit again to get back in and get some sewing done.  So we'll see how fast I can make that happen!  I'm still in school, finishing up my Associate of Interior Design degree, and don't know what I'll do after that.

I do know this:  my header line has never been more true than it is these days.  I honestly sew to keep my sanity, one project at a time.  It is such good therapy.

I have done a few YouTube Videos, which I will post here.  I'm not gone!  I'm just in transition -- story of my life! 

xoxoxox

Vogue 1245

This is an Alice + Olivia pattern, a variation on the traditional peasant top.  I've done a review on it at Pattern Review, so you can read my thoughts on it there.  

The blue is much more vibrant than what you see here.  I did this in a soft rayon (60% off at Hancock's) but next time I think I'll use a crepe-de-chine.  I just wanted it lighter and "floatier."  It does drape beautifully, and feels wonderful!

I am disappointed that the fit is off for me.  I kind of roughly fit it with the tissue to check for the waistline measurement, and it seemed fine.  But in the finished product, it just sits way too high on my waist.  I wanted it down more toward my hips -- so live and learn!  It will fit Rose nicely, and the weight of it will be perfect for winter.  I hope she'll love it!

It's been so nice to get back in the sewing room again!  Next up is Vogue 1255, and I'll be interested to see just how much work all the ruffles are.  This patter (1245) taught me that I definitely need to get a package of those metal bias tape makers.  That would have made it SO much easier!

xoxox

Project Who-Knows-What-Way

If you're anything like me, you're a huge fan of Project Runway.  I have a love/hate relationship with it, I must admit.  But I love to see what the designers do creatively, within those ridiculous time limits, and how they stay on-trend with the fashions they create.

I follow a blog called "Made by Lex."  Talk about beautiful fashion!  She remakes thrifted garments, sews for her little girls, and creates new fashions all to sell in her Etsy shop.  I especially love her scarves, which are hand-dyed.  Beautiful!

Lately Lex has been participating in a contest called "Project Run and Play."  It's a blogging version of Project Runway, except all the fashions are made for little girls.  They're given a pattern, or a theme, and eight designers then create magic!  There are 3 regular judges and one guest judge each week.  And viewers can also vote for their favourites, although the judges have the final decision.

So even if you're not into kids clothing, this blog is worth a look.  I think it is flat-out AMAZING to see what these designers are doing!  Project Runway has nothing on them!

Speaking of which (and I'll try not to rant here) -- Project Runway is supposed to be about great design with some good tv mixed in.  Thursday, September 8, 2011's show was just nothing but drama, drama, drama.  We wanted someone "out" because of their attitude and ability to play well with others, not because of their designs.  This show irritates me regularly for this very reason - they "auf" the nice ones and let the evil geniuses stay.  But the show also usually amazes me, so there you go.

I also had a look at the new Spring 2012 collection from last season's winner, Gretchen Jones.  Let me just say this:  her main cheerleader, Nina Garcia, is probably denying she ever knew Gretchen.  That is all.

So have a look at Project Run and Play and feast your eyes on great design for kids.  It will brighten your day!