Life happens Be Positive

My Mantra

Oh boy,

Well the last post was the bad news but I want you guys to know that I am not bawling my eyes out.... this week, lol

I did a lot of that and then I got really really calm.

A little too calm for my close friends and family, everyone is hoping I'm not keeping everything inside, just waiting to have a total meltdown one of these good days when something simple goes wrong like spilling the milk.

Truthfully, I have a mantra, this thing I say to keep going, it goes like this, 

"I am happy,,,,,(not, I want to be happy but I am happy)

"I am healthy.... because I have to battle the Big C too apart from other things.

"I am rich" 

"I am prosperous" 

"I am slim"

now this is one I say as I look in the mirror, I have lost 20 lbs since I started on my thyroid medicine, run everyday and I'm full of energy, if that is not a reason to feel good I don't know what is, looking I sew a lot of knits and everything still fits.

and then I end it with 

"thank God for this wonderful Life"

because at the end of the day, I am still here, after everything that has happened.

So, that is my little gem that keeps me going everyday, my little mantra, I even have it on a post it on my computer at work.

more later!

Is there a positive way to say "I'm getting a divorce"?

I think this is the happiest I've been in months...

I just have to figure out how to actually start the process, so I need a divorce coach is anyone willing to share some advice?

Happy Holidays

Sooo,, not much blogging going on here

Reasons being, one, I haven't been doing anything creative and two, I have been jumping in and out of a very sad depressive state which is killing my mojo.

Hopefully better days are coming

so I will be gone for a while, to be back after the holidays when I'm more brighter and much much sober, lol, just kidding.

I leave you with some photos from Longwood Gardens, if you live in the Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware Area, I highly recommend it.

Edible Garden

 

Wreath outside Du Pont house

 

Du Pont House

 

Main Christmas tree inside the house

 

Natural garland on stairways

 

Trees lining entry way

 

Walking along the Christmas Route in the conservatory.

 

Main outdoor christmas tree

 

Merry Christmas Everyone.

What's in store: Pre fall '09

Editors always talk about Zac Posen's great feminine aesthetic; his insight on what looks phenomenal on women.

I can see that.

and I'm loving the way he played with embellishments, textures and used worked the fabric to emphasize the curves without the bulk.

My absolute favorite are:

its like a safari/cropped trench jacket and I love how it flows into the wide leg pants. I see how they layered a long sleeve tee under it and it looks like it can go from summer into fall effortlessly. I love this look

I absolutely love this dress, I think its absolutely stunning.

I would go for a short skirt but I love the blazer, this pulls at my preppy heart strings and I would even do the tie, its 40's style that can be worn now.

more of this flowing ruffle that seems to be everywhere for pre fall '09. The dress is so cute. It has that look of vintage but then again, its perfect for wearing today.

Even though I love more structured garments I have got to say

this dress is beautiful, revealing but beautiful, I love the amount of fringe that is used, not to much, just right, enough to make the statement. 

So many good tips, so may things to look forward too

What's in store: Pre fall '09

For all you fashion magazine lover's out there, I'm sure you have noticed Harper's Bazaar monthly feature were the editor talks about what to keep, store and what to get rid off.... I think its worded differently but that is the general idea of it.

I feel like the Pre fall collections is more than just looking through a glass ball to see what coming, but its more along the lines off a guide to help you see what treads are going to be hanging around long enough so you can get the most out of that trendy most have item in your closet.

Hmm?

Regardless its always interesting.

Today, I was checking out the likes of Doo.Ri and I have to say,, not a line I usually fond over.

But seeing that there was one design detail in particular that graced the whole collection, its very noteworthy indeed.

its this flounce/frill.

What are they calling this detail?  A ruffle, its seems more fluid and not as structured as a ruffle just cascading down or around or where ever.

It seems like you can put the thing anywhere and everywhere.

And added touch

or just worked into the whole design

which makes me wonder, if and how the pattern companies is going to use this trend in their patterns. 

After all, I can't be the only person that is looking at this type of stuff....

more later

V8543: Skirt Completed

It freezing here in Philly

But it was a great day for pancakes and sewing.

First Up!

I finished the Vogue 8543 skirt for the suit that is in progress.

 

 

Yesterday I was dumbfounded about the lining but after reading it without reading into it, it made perfect sense.

Its a free hanging lining with a slit for walking ease but you have to make the hem of the lining .5 inch higher than the hem of the skirt, so if your skirt is 2 inches then the lining should be 2.5 inches.

Makes sense now but why was I looking at the instructions like it was Greek?

It is such a beautiful skirt. I was lying on my bed (the dressform is in my bedroom) staring at it and channelling the mojo for the jacket so I can see it as a suit.

Hence why...

 

a few hours later the jacket was well on it way.

Muslins are not a problem to me, I love the process, I don't do them alot because I am such a knit fanatic but when its necessary I welcome it, its always interesting to see what I need to change to make a garment work for me.

This time around:

I need to shorten it about 1 inch. Yeah, I kinda said that from the beginning but its a reality now.

I have to do a full arm adjustment 1 inch. I will post the one I used tomorrow for anyone that is interested.

I need to add ease to the lower area for my hip, it can work as it, but seeing that I have to alter the pattern anyway I'm just going to add another inch.

So, I am going to make another muslin so I can see how the adjustments look before I cut into my precious wool.

Apart from that seeing that we are nearing the end of the year, its time again to assess your goals for the new year.

Its not about resolutions but about growing as a person.

Sewing goals are definitely on my list because its a part of my life. Next year I plan to choose a few patterns and JUST MAKE THEM.

Two things on my list is this beautiful jacket and this one also. The first to match up with a pencil skirt for an interviewing suit (always need to have one of those that fit) and the other is just cause.

making a list and checking it twice does not apply to Christmas only!

BWOF 11-2008-110 and V8543 progress report

I love my Vivenne Westwood inspired skirt.

I think the secret of this skirt is that it's basically a fitted sack, so for curvy girls like myself, my body adds the shaping required. 

 

Oh and I the fins, I am definitely making this one again.

On the sewing machine is still my vogue skirt.

I used my edgestitching foot to do the top stitching on it, which came as an after thought because I had it for the longest time but have never used it.

I always say I love the vogue curved seamed skirts because they go together so well but I am having a little set back with this one and maybe I'm reading to much into the instructions but I can't seem to wrap my mind around how they want me to finish the hem of the lining and the hem of the skirt with these pleats.

Well, if I can't figure it out I can always post for thoughts on PR. I would love to get a shirt that will match with this color lining.

LOVE IT.

and speaking about shirts, I have such a strong crush on this one

no progress on the jacket but if I can finish up this skirt this weekend I can start the muslin for the jacket next week.

 

more later...