sorry...

so, I had made up my mind to not talk about my personal life on this blog, but alas, it has collided with my efforts to keep up regular blogging. My husband and I are currently homeless and are relying on the good graces of some friends for a place to live. So, recently I've been pretty down and discouraged and not feeling like dressing up, being positive, or anything else for that matter.

I never realized how much having a home really means to a person. It's like I've got this huge gaping hole that is a constant reminder that I don't belong anywhere...

So, I apologize to anyone who might read this for the incredibly downer post and hope to have some more upbeat and positive posts soon :-)

Romans 8:28

"all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose."

Ethel May Mertz

gee, I'm really falling behind on this whole blogging thing....

I have been sewing up a storm the last two weeks.  I've finished a dress made from the same pattern as the "Galaxy Dress" (see previous post).  I LOVE it!!  I call it my Ethel dress!

I grew up as most people watching old reruns of I Love Lucy.  I started watching them again and I realized something: I've always liked Ethel better than Lucy!  In the show they always make Lucy out to be the more glamorous, more beautiful, leader, but if you think about Ethel she is: loyal, reliable, funny, and has a great style!  Her outfits were always, understated, feminine, and flattering while not too gaudy. And I always thought she was prettier than Lucy. So while most people idolize Lucy and her style, I find myself modeling my 1950's look on Ethel May Mertz :-)

{new dresses}

Now that camp is over I finally had a chance to do a mini photo shoot with my dresses that I made/bought over the summer.  I love all of them so much! 

I just finished this dress last week.  It was my first dress to make from vintage fabric my mom bought at an estate sale and a vintage pattern I bought from Ebay.  I only had just over 3 yards so I had to put a white band at the bottom to make up for the lack of fabric. I think it was just serendipitous because I actually really like the band now  and can't imagine the dress without it :-)  When I saw the fabric I immediately pictured it as being a glamorous house dress (if there is such a thing!)

Now, this dress is ah-mazing!  I love it sooo much that I am making another dress from this same pattern!  I call this dress "The Galaxy Dress"  because of the pattern :-)  I thought the fabric was a nice polka dot without being too stereotypical or boring.  It's really the most comfortable and flattering dress I have made yet!

I love this dress.  I guess it isn't fair to single just one dress out, but I love the pattern and fabric I made it out of.  Not to mention the 50's pin I found at a flea market!  So cute!  I only wish that at some point I can lose a little weight because I foolishly made it to my actual measurements instead of adding an inch or two to actually breathe :-/  This is also my first attempt at making a belt!  I'd never known you could do such a thing :-)

I didn't actually make this dress, but I bought it on Ebay for 8 dollars (after shipping)!!!  Can you believe that?  The posting on Ebay really didn't have a good picture of the dress, and because of this fact, I almost didn't bid on it.   But I really am glad that I did!  When I got it, it sure looks like it's a genuine 1950's dress!  I couldn't believe it!  I just love the fresh, light colors.  I call it "The Sherbet Dress".

no internet=boo

I deeply regret that I have not posted in so very long.  The internet service where I work and live has been down for a month and a half now and it is proving to be quite frustrating and handicapping.  So much has happened, I'm afraid I'll forget most of it....

A summary:  I have been sewing  up a storm every weekend at my moms (since I don't have room to sew where we are) and my photography business is seeming to finally pick up.  I have to admit the last week or so I have been feeling like a traitor.  I have been looking at pictures of my old hair and been missing modern fashions and shoes...  I have always wanted to be "vintage", but I'm doubting my ability to stick with it...  I'm hoping I'm just tired and when I regain some semblance of normalcy I will be inspired again... *sigh*

Next week I am planning on doing a mini photo shoot with me  in my outfits I have made over the summer, so, I shall be posting photos soon :-)

Well, I must be off to work...  ta ta for now!

sewing...

I've been meaning to post pictures of my new garments I have sewn.  I'm so glad my mom taught me to sew growing up!  This would be so much harder if I had to learn from scratch.  I've never really had the patience for it, but of late I've kinda enjoyed it!  I look forward to when I can sew on the weekends (since I live at a summer camp and am busy Mon-Fri dawn to dusk).  It's also been a good time for my mom and I to bond even more than we already are LOL.  I tell her all the time that I am her clone HAHA.  Again, sorry I don't have any pictures :-(  Hopefully I can get some this weekend.

all work and no play...

This summer my husband and I are working at a summer camp doing all the AV stuff.  We weren't supposed to come back, but so is life.  So, unfortunately I won't have time to make as many posts as I normally would or take pictures to go with them (which I fully intended to do)... oh well, I'll pick it up in late August. :-/

On a lighter note, I went to my first flea market last Saturday!  It was a definite experience!  I was disappointed in the amount of vintage clothing/patterns or vintage accessories (hats, purses, etc.).  I don't like shopping alone so I pushed my mom around in her wheelchair all day.... that was tiring!  But, I'm glad she was there.  It would have been much more boring it she hadn't.   I'm trying to find my thrift store/flea market/garage sale/estate sale buddy.  *sigh*  Anyone wanna volunteer?

first attempt...

I've started sewing my first garment from a vintage pattern! It is taking a little getting used to with the different method of assembling and smaller seam allowance. I am excited :-)

I found this sweet lightweight fabric on clearance for 1.95/yd! I was so excited! I just love the girlyness of it.

I hadn't realized that before a certain time there were no printed patterns or at least they weren't common I guess. So that was interesting using my first un-printed pattern :-/ Hopefully I will be done tomorrow!