Thursday, April 28, 2011

Inspirations and Confessions

I love to create and I always have a new idea for a project. So I decided to keep a list of my ideas so that when I get a moment (between laundry, dishes, and never-ending requests for water) I will know what I want to work on. Unfortunately, my list of intended projects grows ever longer while my output is at the pace of a molasses going up a hill on a cold day with a head wind. But a girl can dream and in my dreams I see dances of fabric and paint. But until I actually produce something tangible, here are a few projects that others have created that have inspired me.

For some unknown reason I am incapable of throwing out scraps of fabric. Regardless of the size of fabric I am certain there will be a use for it. A few months ago we moved and as I was packing my sewing area I became a little aware of how out of control my saving had become. And I actually brought myself to throw away a bag or two of scraps. Now, one would think that by getting rid of so much the problem would be brought down to a more manageable size. But then I started unpacking in our new place and I continued to bring box after box after box of fabric into my new sewing room. I felt like standing up and saying, "Hi my name is Emily and I am a fabricaholic." But, since I can't bring myself to get rid of it, I have to find a way to use it. And what better way to use scraps than to make a quilt. I am not much of a quilter, I find it rather tedious and boring and wonder as I am making it, does the world really need another blanket? But, I found this quilt, and I think we can be friends. I was hoping to find a free tutorial, however this was not. But, because I am cheap and clever I decided to not pay for the pattern but make my own. I have drawn up the pattern and with a little determination and plenty of outside time for the little ones, I will hopefully be able to produce a finished product soon.


Twirling. I loved to twirl when I was little.
And a dress to twirl in was essential. A dress that could be twirled in became magical, I became a princess at a royal ball or a ballerina
on stage performing in front of large audience. When I went dress shopping for my bridal gown my goal was to find a dress with a large skirt that I could dance in. Even now when I make dresses or skirts they have to pass the twirly test. So when I saw this dress at IndieTutes I knew that it would have to go on my list of projects for my princesses. And it doesn't hurt that I can use the aforementioned fabric stash to create this little beauty.




Nothing says tacky like a vase of dusty, fake flowers. You know what I'm talking about. The ones in the faded vase on the slightly yellowed doily on Aunt Ida's mantle.
But I love flowers, especially bright and colorful ones and have been tempted once or twice to buy some of those awful fake flowers, they look so pretty in the store. But then visions of dusty, faded flowers float across my memory and I quickly walk toward the fabric section where I usually end up buying several yards of $1 dollar clearance fabric that I just know I will think of a project for. So my sewing room is shrinking from the yards of intended projects and my house remains colorless and flowerless. And then I found this tutorial from "Between the lines" and I felt the stars in the universe align. I am thinking of taking it up a few notches and making a large wall hanging for my bedroom.








Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Prom Dress


My baby sister's Senior Prom dress. My deadline was Friday, April 8, I finished at 3 p.m. I am excited about the finished product. I put a lot more detail into this dress than have put into previous dresses. All but three seams are enclosed for a polished, finished look. This is the third gown I've made for my sister and I have to say that it is my favorite. I was hoping to have several weeks to work on in it, but we had a hard time finding a design my sister wanted. After listening to all the details she wanted, I found this dress. It was exactly what she wanted. She loved the Jane Austen-like style and pink is a fabulous color on her. By the time we figured out the design, bought fabric, etc. I had less than two weeks to start and complete the dress.

The Dress


She requested that it dip a little bit in back, so here is the back of the dress.


One more shot. You can see the top a little better and the flower I made using this tutorial. It turned out a little floppy =(. It was the last thing I made and I was running out of steam by this point.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Hi, my name is Emily and I have Craft ADD

Hi, my name is Emily and I have Craft ADD. At any given time I have several projects rolling around in my head, and I am constantly coming up with new project idea. Just today I was sorting clothes and came across a shirt of mine that was too small, I immediately thought of turning it into a dress for my 3 year old daughter. A few hours later I have the project completely laid out in my head. This blog is dedicated to the, "million and one ideas," in my head and the projects that are actually completed.

Top Ten Signs You Might Have Craft ADD

Posted by Brandi Jordan (GreenHillSoapCo.) on Wednesday May 13, 2009
7

Have you ever wondered if you have Craft ADD? Well, here's a simple checklist to gauge your affliction. Put an imaginary check mark next to each statement that bears any resemblance to you. Good luck!

10. Your interests range from jewelry making to knitting to painting and you love them all equally.

9. When you refer to your craft room, you're talking about the dining room, hallway closet, living room, under your bed, the boxes in the guest bedroom, and the bookshelf in the den.

8. You have three different projects currently going and two projects that you're saving for later in your craft bin.

7. You can't stop thinking up new crafty ideas. You even dream about them. Your husband says you call out "Michael's" in your sleep.

6. You save the scraps from every project, because you never know if you'll need that one inch scrap of lace for something else. When you save that scrap, you start thinking up another idea almost immediately and can't wait to try it.

5. There are piles of magazines in your house from ten years ago that you've saved and plan to one day use to decoupage gifts.

4. You hide craft supply purchases from your significant other.

3. Your family rolls their eyes when you start yet another project, but they love you anyway.

2. Your car could drive to every craft store in town on auto-pilot.

and the number one sign that you may have Craft ADD:

1. You know the names, birthdays and family histories of all of the employees at Michael's, Jo-Ann's, A.C. Moore, and Hobby Lobby.

If you marked more than two, you probably have Craft ADD. Welcome to the club! We'll be starting a support group as soon as we stop getting ideas for other projects. In the meantime, craft away!