Life happens Be Positive

Catalog inspiration:Jcrew

On the medical front, I finally got my Biopsy done. I will get the results on Wednesday so more on this later.

In the world of sewing and fashion, this week was fabulous in that HSN had they fall Fashion week and it was like snoop shopping in the privacy of my home, lol. I recorded a couple of shows because some of the LOOKS they put together were really cute.

My coworkers can't understand my obsession with fashion shows on HSN but its simply this. I like the fact that the designers are there to talk about their garments, their inspiration, how it is made, why they chose the fabrics, its very educational,,,,, I believe, if they can sell you on the look,, well, maybe the look is worth making yourself for yourself.

But enough about that.

My Jcrew catalog came and they is a few things I am keeping for inspiration.

Jcrew is my type of catalog, for one, they always takeyou behind the scenes for their destination photo shoot on their website and show little snipped in the catalog itself. This time the location is Prague.

First up

Ahh,, the Midas touch, first of all, I love this dress, I would love it with a strap but that print is TDF. I am not a yellow girl, but this harvest yellow is calling my name. I feel compelled to find something in this color, even if its a shorter cardigan to go with my many,,, many black and white knit dresses.

I understand why Pantone chose this earthy yellow for their fall color palette.

isn't it yummy?

Apart from that I never actually thought of wearing my coats like this, belted with a regular belt and leaving it open. Its funny how you see something and think,, why haven't I tried that before?

I don't think I even have a denim shirt in my closet.

but I have to say, I love this jacket, the shirt inside, the jewelry and the gold belt... this is how the obsession starts for tracking down a fabric with this color, a piece of jersey would be nice, lol

let me know if you see anything I would like.

Ohhh

and some neck interest

as for sewing, well, I think they will be more cutting than actual sewing.

I started early this week to cut out my knit dresses and its going pretty good, and if I actually get anything done, you will read about it next week..... happy Labor day, goodbye summer 08.

B5206 continued

This morning, I looked out the window and was shocked to see the sun was just starting to come up around 6:13, there was  just a smigen of light.... hmmm, that is not good for my early morning photos, another reason why I love summer, light and lots of it.

Anyway, here is the dress

so even though I still have luke warm feeling towards the dress, it got a lot of attention today. Someone even asked me if I got it from White House Black Market.... ahhh no! but thanks for the compliment.

Which is a reminder that I need to go snoop shopping in there pretty soon.

SO,, how do I look?

B5206: The endless bias binding dress

Never again!

I totally underestimated the simplicity of the pattern, not that it was hard to make but definitely time consuming.

I am not in love with this dress, I am hoping once I step out in it I will learn to love it..... one can only hope.

So... where do I begin

First I tapered the sleeves a little, I used the sleeves of Jalie 2794 to taper the bottoms because I like how they fit on that top I made.

One thing I found with this dress is that when I used the patterns positioning for the wrap, it drooped on me, very badly I didn't like it at all. so I fit it to where I like it and sewed it down the wrap to the bodice front.

Now, I really don't know if its the weight of the bias-binding that made it droop like that one me for some reason but it looked horrible.

I didn't attach the tie band to the dress because as a black and white dress, I would like to accessorize it with other color belts instead of being commited to this look.

The bias binding is a lesson in patience, I put it down a few times until it was done. I guess in my mind a simple knit dress like this should never take that much time,, mind over matter right.

I wrapped the dress the other way than the pattern suggested because their is a part of the front fold where you can see exactly where the bias binding seam is and I was kinda self conscious of it.. yea I know, I have issues but oh well. It was either that or rip the whole bias binding out and do it all over again, which was not happening.

However the instructions were easy to follow.

Now, some photos

 

Tomorrow I am going to wear it so I will get a photo of me in it,,,, the scary part, lol.

and in the spirit of keeping on the positive side

Peach cobbler with instant gratification, bets endless bias binding any day.

Eat, sleep, shower and Sew

 well, at least that is the plan.

I am going to have one finished garment to wear on monday, what I'm going to sew, I have NO earthly idea but something is going to happen and there will photos to prove it.

Did you guys get,,, or like any of the new butterick patterns?

Whew, let me tell you, I was so worried there offering would be like Simplicity's lastest Faux pas,, ughhhh. What were they thinking?

Exhibit A..... the person that makes this work, should get a reward.

A true testament that less can be more, especially in the world of patterns. I am not seeing the creativity in there new patterns at all.

Enough about that

New butterick in my hands!

so much to love for knit lovers,,, HIGH FIVE!

LOL

this is what I got.

I know, its not much, I as off right now, its more about getting what I know I can whip up quickly so the patterns will get used.

B5243

B5247 andmaybe this for the shorter tunic

B5242 is still up in the air, I have a piece of fuschia rayon jersey but I really don't know, still brainstorming.

I really liked the neckline of B5244 but finding the right weight of knit for it may be a little challenging for me, because I would have to feel it, which means I would have to go to the garment district, which I am trying to avoid seeing that I am drowning in fabric,, not a bad thing, but really..

B5245,,, I thought I loved, but I am not liking how that neckline looks where the waistline fall, the pockets look good but I think I will look horrible in that look. Take about maternal!

View C is promising,,, maybe later, I can definitely see that in a great eye popping color paired with something black.

View B, I absolutely love, another case of finding the right fabric, I would make this in a heartbeat.

And I'm still on the fence with this wardrobe pattern, because I would like to see it sewn up by someone else first.

hmm, yes this is going to be a nice weekend indeed.

Oh and did I show you guy my new additions to wardrobe?

More patent leather and colorblock, so much fun

Okay Ladies, hope you have a great, awesome weekend and more to follow later!

EOM Port Essoauria: s3506 and medical update

Where do I start.

I hate hospitals and there is a good reason for this... gosh,  I feel like I need to apologize to all medical personnel before I start venting, because I am IRRATE. I am not even playing.

This whole thing started when around 10 am Monday morning.

I started to get a headache, which turned into inner ear pains, which turned into a migraine beyond belief. I text my dh and told him to meet me at work so we can go over to the ER.

Riddle memorial is 1 mile away,,, remember this, because you will hear it again.

So, there I was, checked in, the nurse comes in, she takes and X ray, an intern comes in and start to check my breathing, I told her where the pain was and she starts to feel my neck.

The look on her face, I thought she saw the mark of death on me. She said she is going to get a doctor. He comes in, feels my neck, then immediately call down to Ultrasound to tell them I'm coming.

At this time, I am very scared, like no one is saying anything, stuff is just happening.

Next minute, I'm in a wheelchair and going down the hall to ultrasound.

The lady that is doing the ultrasound is looking even more worried and she is calling back to ER to update them, apparently she is seeing a LARGE MASS that is spreading from the windpipe to the back of my neck.

Okay.....

Back to the ER. I'm on the bed, then the intern and nurse comes in.

The intern is sitting on a chair in front of me and she is patting my leg asking me if I'm okay.

Immediately I started to cry, I was like,, how bad is it, do I have to go into surgery right now.

She says no, but I have to stay tonight so they can do a biopsy in the morning.

This is 5:30 pm -Monday Night

So,,,, I stayed the night, no food or drink until the biopsy can be done,, cool, no problem.

How about...... at 11 am the next day,, still no BIOPSY.

I kid you NOT

and guess who is starving getting all types of GAS pains,,, MOI

I paged the nurse and she comes in, I ask her when the Doctor will be in to see me... mind you,,, I haven't seen a doctor since the first ER doctor looked at me the day before. She said he will be in later.... Okay...

so I asked, what time I'm I getting the Biopsy, she is going to Look me in my eyes and tell me, THEY CANCELLED IT.

............. I am a calm person, ask anyone, but I swear the devil was getting into my body when she had the nerve to tell me some mess like I'm not getting the Biopsy they purposely retained,, and made a big fuss about me getting and worse of all, I am starving. I stared at her in utter disbelief and told her, I am hungry and I need to know why I'm still here if there is no Biospy to be here for.

She leaves and comes back, she said they schedule an MRI instead..........

Okay... so when is this happening?

Nurse,  " Oh,, we really don't know, it can be anytime, now or even 6 pm tonight"

I said,, "NO THE HELL IT'S NOT HAPPENING AT 6PM IN THE FREAKIN NIGHT"

OMG

I said I want to leave now.

She said she will be right back.... I promise you, in less than 10 mins, I had breakfast on my table and an orderly with a wheelchair ready to take me to MRI.

So tell me, why is it, that you really have to act like an ASSHOLE to get some damn service.

I get back from the MRI which is an experience I don't want to have any time soon and I called for the Nurse again.

Where is the doctor?

Nurse "He is not here, he should be here at 5:30 pm"

5:30 pm?

You mean to say, I had to stay in the hospital all day just to get an MRI, which I could have done on my lunch break,, seeing that I work, 1 mile away from the hospital, I am not plugged up to anything, I haven't gotten any meds and even worse, I haven't seen my freakin doctor to tell me what the hell is going on with me.

okay.... OKAY

Do you know what time the doctor came to see me?

7:30 pm last night... yes, TUESDAY NIGHT,,,, more than 24 hours after I was admitted into the hospital.

And guess what he said?

"I will like you to stay until tomorrow so you can do the BIOPSY"

I said, ABSOLUTELY NOT

because said BIOPSY was suppose to be today and that didn't happen, I am not staying here another day so you guys can run up my medical bill and not give me the damn biopsy tomorrow.

He looked at me incredulously....

I told him, he needs to discharge me, I will schedule a biospy in the morning.

Now, the nurse, even though she acted accommodating, she was seething the whole freakin time. She was so mad, she ripped the tape up from my hand to get off the IV and I felt like I was being waxed.. I was so HOT,, I was so passed HOT, then she is going to ask me if I need something to cool me down.... My discharge paperwork...

Oh I was so MAD

So, the biopsy is a go, but not until next week, I have to pray and hope that nothing happens to me before that. When the night nurse came in, he was mystified, because he was looking over my chart and was stunned that they retained me for absolutely nothing at all. Everthing, that was done to me could have been done with me on an outpatient status.

Oh I am so MAD........

On a positive note

Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers, I need it, because I still do not know what is wrong with me and I'm praying that nothing doesn't happen to me before I could figure it out. Its really stressful, really, I can't stop thinking about it, I am in LIMBO right now, its so confusing and hard to explain.

and one more thing,, my dress

taken monday morning before the whole ER thing

Okay Ladies, I am going to get some rest, its going to be another long day tomorrow

 

When it rains it Pours

To my loyal readers,

Now,, don't get to worried, I just figured I would right this because I don't know how bad the situation is.

I am at the hospital, I came in because of an ear infection and migraine and the doctors found a mass in my throat that they are very concern about so I have to stay here all night and maybe tomorrow so they can do all their test.

My dh brought my ibook in so I can check my blogs and get this message out to all my friends and family.

wish me luck, you guys and just think, this morning I took some photos to share with you guys.

Fabric and Planning

These are some of the fabric I got during my sewing machine hiatus and looking at my spreadsheet that I record all my fabric and the patterns I'm going to use them for (always changing) I am in deep trouble. I think I may need to take some more time off to get some sewing done, lol

Fantasy sewing is good so as of right now, this is how its going down

B5030

definiately for fall, another print that would make the people at Pantone happy.

B5243

View A, I love the black, white, red and a touch of fuschia in this knit and I really like this pattern for it.

B5247

Its more like a chocolate brown, when I saw this pattern, the neckline reminded me of my inspiration so I think I am aiming for view D.

I got a couple of black pieces of course, I need a view new black dresses for the winter, I am very very boring in the winter with the color choices. I figure I can use some black dresses for the "fat days" after all the wonderful eating and add some color with accessories.

V8512

I was told,, if you get some, you should buy it right away, lol, so now thinking back, I should have bought more. 

M5701

another piece I had to get, wool crepe, you would be surprised the inferior quality of wool crepe out there. This dress will not be a quick project so you have to wait to see this one.

V2980

I should just order a bolt of this, I swear I buy yds and yds of black rayon jersey but black just makes sense.. I have to make another top because I get so many compliments on it, its worth getting it in black so I can wear it some more.

M5711

ah,, my splurge project, there is always one, silk charmeuse, wool coating and buttons from MJ trim.

and that is it for sharing right now. I need to get back to working on my stuff.

Oh yes!

well,, at least that is what I said when I saw the below garments last night,,, oh yes, I love this.

But first, a project update.

I managed to finish the S3506 and I'm quite surprised that I dragged it out so long because even though my sewing machine is humming delightfully with its new part and seasoned by a good oiling from 2 weeks ago, I have absolutely no energy.

I'm looking over my fabric for this set with a deep,,, deep sigh,, gosh this should be done already. I thought about it so much on vacation that in my mind, I've already sewn and worn it, lol,, I know,, I have a vivid imagination and short attention span for most things.

so maybe I need some inspiration, I am very,,,,, hmm, "detail oriented" I've stopped looking at the whole garment a long time ago, just the little things.

My only hang up is that the pattern companies don't really do a lot of high fashion details in there patterns, I always wonder if its because one size don't fit must when you start adding intense draping, contour seams etc.

And it's not like my skill level is up there, but I know, with determination, nothing is impossible, especially with the online sewing community if you get what I mean.

Anyway

What I'm looking at now, stems from the color block mini trend. I say mini trend because I really don't think it took off as they expected. I guess some people found it to 80's or something, bad hair days instantly coming to mind, but it really didn't HAPPEN. Regardless, I like how they used the grey and black here:

I love this, somehow I think it just makes sense even if you changed the color, I would even do a black and white,, wow, maybe even a violet or cobalt blue band to make it pop. This one:

Its geometric but simple, but I understand how appealing a simple dress is on the eye. Or maybe something that pulls all your attention to one spot, with some help.

Vogue needs to do something like this, they need too.

I need to find a beautiful BIG brooch or pin,, whatever appeals to your vocabulary better.

a belt was all that was needed but a brooch does add a little more, then I can use it on my shawl when I'm out of the office, I am liking this idea, it just finding the right one that doesn't look to corny or pretensive.

I have some black crepe for a shift dress,, more on this later when I post them next week that will do well to mimic this style.

Pockets that merge into belt loops?

wow

I must admit, I stared at this until my phone rang and I jumped because I was in a trance because at first I didn't realize the dynamics of it and then I got it. BEAUTIFUL.

A little neck action for those of us that can't do a true turtle neck,,,, and believe me, I've tried.

I think most people won't even notice a little lift at the neckline with the 3 buttons but its there.

The one garment that really impressed me this week was

Neiman Marcus did a what to wear to work for fall and this was one of the sets they had on there.

and even though its a DRESS, I would opt for a silk charmeuse gathered shell and a high waisted skirt and maybe even attempt to make a belt, this way, I can use all the items with other things.

Its just something to think about.

Tomorrow is suppose to be my all day sewing day, but I have nothing cut out, nothing ready to go. I'll get some photos of my skirt and dress next week for sure because I plan to wear them to work.

More later.

Back in Business

My Bobbin Case Arrived Yesterday!

My dh called me at work to give me the good news and let me tell you, if not for self control I would have found a way to leave work immediately, yes I was that happy.

Now, its time to re-focus, with all the new fabric, new patterns out there and lots of fall inspiration from everyone's blogs, if I don't get my self together I will not finish what I start, which is my EOM plan.

Yes, I intend to finish my navy blue section, Port Essoauira as planned.

So what is the game plan....

V7937 is done - I took the easy way out and made A, it was easy to sew, I spent more time fitting it than sewing it and now I need to figure out what to wear it with. My coworker said to wear a yellow silk top, but yellow isn't my most flattering color.... so I will have to figure it out

S3506 is in progress , I made it before I know its a quick sew, it should be done by this weekend

B5210 needs a muslin, which takes time to sew I will work on that during next week and try my best to begin sewing it next weekend.

BWOF 06-2007-120 I'm having second thoughts about it. I think I like view B better somehow.

I'm anxious to get it out of the way. So I can make my two knit dresses because I absolutely love those fabrics and I can't wait to work with them.

Also, I have to work on a mini scrapbook Album for my mom and a bigger one for me so is also a priority of mind, in fact I am kinda consumed with it and have been taking my ibook everywhere I go getting my ideas and layouts together... maybe when its done I will show it to you guys, its been a while.

A few minutes to spare at MOOD Fabrics..

SHE SAID, "The garment district does NOT take DISCOVER, well, I guess maybe someone does but I haven't found a store that do, if you find one let me know"

Looking back, last week seems like a blur, which is awesome because I still have not received my bobbin case as yet.

Thrusday, my mom, niece and I stopped at Mood Fabrics before we went down to F.I.T. Its the first time I've been there and I can see why someone would say its a little overwhelming if you don't have a plan of attack.

Starting with the elevator.......... that actually needs an operator to use it.. sheesh, old school!

I think its well laid out though, everything has a big sign that says exactly what section you are in eg "SILK WOOL".

I was able to feel and see alot of fabric that I've heard about and read about but have never seen with my own too ideas so I would definiately recommend going there just for the experience of learning what a specific fabric looks or feels like... good stuff.

As for my niece, well, she really got into it, which must have been due to the fashionista type students that were looking for their fabrics. Now, she wants to learn how to sew,,,, oh boy.

I really didn't need anything, so I picked up this piece of cotton batiste.

I know, more black and white, but my philosophy is that

If you buy the colors you love to wear, chances are, you will sew it up,,, sooner than later, lol

I love the big, sporadic style swiss dots, FUN!

Hmm, I wonder what this will be.

More fabric to come but not until next week, I left everything at my dad's home because I took the bus back to philly.

Off to look through the new Lucky, lol

more later.