creating

A friend is celebrating her anniversary soon. Her wedding was on 01.22.10 largely because it is a palindrome. I had a moment of inspiration followed by enough time to follow through. Here’s the result.

Complete with a custom tag. The Front.

The Back.

And the matchy-matchy wrapping.

Peace,

^-^

Eric had a birthday recently. He is very difficult to buy for because to quote him, he’s “happy with a cardboard box.” He really is too. Anything he really wants is a bit out of our budget range–a new camera, new bike things etc. So I went with the from the heart approach.

I found these fabulous Post-It pages meant for a Cricut machine. I don’t have a machine, but I do have scissors. I love how easy they were to reposition–especially because it meant I didn’t have to plan out the wording in the beginning. I chose to use text we had selected for our wedding Habakkuk 3:17-18. And I put it in a frame–not the one I had originally purchased, though. Frame sizes are 8″ x 10″. Scrapbook paper page size is 8.5″ x 11″. Opps! Glad I found one that worked with the size!

It was very well received. Now we just have to figure out where to display it–wall or table, home or office, living room or study.

Peace,

Katy ^_^

I am not big on knick knacks. Probably because I loath dusting. So my favorite travel souvenir is the smashed penny. I have had a growing pile of them and been unsure of how to display them.

I’d been looking for a frame for a long time, but I never knew how I’d mount them. Then I came across this fabulous frame with a velcro background and velcro strips.

Here they are displayed.

I love that I can rearrange them as my collection grows. I wish the frame was white and the velcro too, but alas, it works. Though on the wall it looks a lot like a civil war era collection.

Peace,

Katy ^_^

I’m working on a new bra. I let the recipient pick her colors–I guess green is quite popular! This material is different than the first green lace I used. It is quite stretchy–I’ve had to rip a lot and pull it tight and re-sew as it likes to bubble.

I organized all of the trims and what not I need into a small bin. Then when I have a few moments, I have everything on hand to pick up where I left off. It is fabulous–as long as the kitties don’t decide they need attention in that moment too!

I love these scissors. They make trimming seams a breeze. A wonderful friend was cleaning out her home and happened across them and asked if I could use them. Use them?–they make the trimming process so easy! Plus they are Gingher–meaning very nice quality. I love thinking of that story every time I use them.

Peace,

^-^

My quilt is done! The most difficult part was the cutting. I’ve learned a lot.

The quilt was gifted to a good friend for her birthday. It was funny because I originally picked the colors for me, but after working on it, I realized that I have way more than enough quilts–all of which are gifts from significant people in our lives so I had to give the one I made away. The best part of the quilt is the back is a super plushy minky fabric. My friend tells me it is awesome.

Peace,

^-^

I love that I keep running into Haute Couture. I can’t get away from it, and that is okay by me. I kept hearing the name Simone when researching fashion in the San Francisco area. I didn’t know much about her, but if you wanted to learn to make patterns and sew–she was the one you learned from. I was lucky enough to meet her recently.

Unfortunately she no longer takes students. She is self-taught and then into her career learned the techniques in Paris. After completing her schooling she was offered a position with Christian Dior. Due to family responsibilities and a desire to make a name for herself, not Dior, she declined.

What a treat to meet and talk briefly with her.

Peace,

^-^

School is out for summer! We’ve been enjoying lazy BBQs, lots of sunshine, a good amount of heat, and plenty of ice cream. We’re planning on walking to our local frozen yogurt place later–last time I got lemon and chocolate pudding flavors in the same cup! Yum and odd–no I’m not pregnant.

This also means no third grade or community college aiding for a bit. My schedule just opened up a ton! I’m working on my first draping project for me. The dress form cover was a result of a French Pattern Drafting/Moulage class. The results were fabulous and I’m looking forward to working hard in my current season’s triathlon training to require a re-make in a smaller size. We’ll see.

This is such a change from the first draping attempt. I’ve learned a lot these last few years. This fabric was in a friend’s stash. It screams summery dress to me a la the Pretty Woman brown and white polo match dress.

I’m finding myself drawn to more hand-sewn stitches than machine ones. I am contemplating ripping out the shoulder and redoing it by hand. The machine stitches are so harsh on this flowy material.

We’ll see where this leads. Hope you are enjoying the summer sun and have lots of stimulating projects to keep you busy!

In other news I’m Summer Cleaning which means my drawers are much less crammed with things and I’m donating to Goodwill like a madwoman. I have lots of old Threads from a subscription stint. 25 issues from ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, and ’08. Anyone interested in these? I’ve posted them on craigslist, but if you can use them let me know.

Peace,

^-^

So today I got my admissions results. I applied to MBA school. I started my application 10 days before the deadline, including taking the GMAT. The process was challenging, frustrating, and one of the most invigoratingly creative things I’ve done in a long while. I didn’t get in. I saw the deficits in my application when I submitted it–work experience, GMAT score, etc. But I still hoped.

I am bummed. I don’t know where I will go from here. But I look forward to more challenging, frustrating, and invigorating creativity in the future. We’ll see what that looks like.

One person that kept asking about the progress of my application told me, “God has bigger plans if you don’t get in.” I know she meant well. But I have a hard time with that  sentiment. I’ve written this sentence 20 times and gone on 20 different tangents. I haven’t quite solidified my thoughts. Maybe I will, maybe I won’t.

This is where I’m at.

Peace,

^-^

Looking forward to a little more sewing/blogging fun in May. Join up if you are interested.

I know I don’t have enough items to wear Made By Me daily, but am planning on one outfit a week. Looking forward to ramping up my sewing and posting again.

It is difficult to be “me” and share like I want to on the blog, while at the same time maintaining a sense of privacy. Has anyone figured this out yet?

Peace,

Katy ^-^

I’ve still got the lingerie bug. Here are my latest creations. Perfect for a green and frog loving bud.

Peace,

^-^