Oh the pressure...

Can someone slap me with the sewing stick? Tonight there will be an immense amount of pressure to finish my RTW garment. How shameful will it be if I don't enter anything???

Great news! I have bought a domain name! Yay! You can now put in just thatssewlive.com!

Okay.. will I have a picture to display tomorrow??? Only time will tell?

Have a great Thursday! I leave you with one of my favorite pictures of me and my co-anchor Bo... Normally you think of your morning news team as uptight and stuffy.. not us my friends, not us. This is our "cool" pose.

New Projects

So here is what I have been working on this week. Obviously I am still working on the RTW challenge from Pattern Review. My problem is that I tend to take things overboard. There were a million little dresses I could have made -- but NOOOOOO I decided to blend two patterns together to come up with one design -- anyway it's drama and madness and I hope it doesn't come out crazy! LOL

First up.. the high waist skirt.. I fell in love with this look and I loved the results..

With that said, I was too lazy to put it back on to take a picture.. So I did the next best thing. I took a picture of me wearing it while at work. LOL Lazy bum I am... I promise to take a picture so that you can get a better look at another time... but for now enjoy the small screen.


Next.. the yellow dress in this McCall's pattern.

I am making it in red.. Just a little something for sorority meeting this Saturday (Go DST!). I just wanted to have something new to wear.

New Patterns Make the World Go Round

Remember how revved up we all were about fall/winter sewing? Haha Spring Fever will quell that any day! McCall's new early summer patterns are out. Yay! Dance with me girls, dance with me. I just love summer clothes. Being born and raised in Miami will do it to you.

I say over all McCall's did a great job of putting out something new and fresh. Here are some of my favorites! Discuss...


I am still on the fence on if I am going to purchase this but I over all love the jacket -- not to keen on the pants. Great work look.


I'm usually not a fan of pre-shirred dresses because well frankly they make the "girls" itch.. TMI I know... anyway.. I love view F (aqua) with no pockets! How cute is that?
THis makes a great "I'm tired of jeans and jogging suits" SWAP for errands and casual get togethers.
This is a great take on a trend that is about to be used to death. The little half moon neckline is great but it is also everywhere. I love the raised waistline so that it doesn't feel like a maternity dress.
Clean, sweet and chic -- like myself -- this dress speaks for itself.
I am still deciphering my emotions about the big *U* on the neckline but I like the three options for this dress.
Aww yeah.. my jumpsuit is here. I love jumpsuits. I have no idea why either. LOL. The fabric they used is hideous for a jumpsuit. It would make a great jacket or blouse -- not a head to toe garment. Too much people. I swear sometimes the Big 4 don't know how to sell their designs.

Anyway if I had the place to wear it.. this would make a great inspired piece of the Versace Spring 2008 jumper!
Hot!
I heart Tory Burch and I think this would be perfect for a few inspired pieces.

With all that said Simplicity sneaked a few new fab pieces in as well!

Lovely's Stitch and Stew

Here's what's been stewing in my mind lately:

*Doesn't it irritate you when you have fabric cut out and the person cutting the fabric doesn't smooth it out or bother to cut a straight even cut? Thus making it extra fun to find the fold and grain at home!

*Don't you wish you had at home that little metal straight line groove at the fabric store cutting table? Boy wouldn't that make life easier.

*Do you ever feel guilty for making an insane amount of trips to the fabric store in one week? Oh that's just me... *crickets*

*This might be geeky of me... but don't you wish you could just post up at the fabric store and ask people what they are going to make out of the hideous piece of fabric in their hands? I know one man's trash is another man's treasure but sometimes ugly is, well ugly sewn up.

*I hate, hate, hate when pattern company's illustrate or use a photo of the ugliest view of a pattern only to find there is a fab garment in the envelope.. case in point:

It appeared to be just an ordinary knit dress (which is cute) .. but then I clicked on the picture to find this -- That tan dress has fabulous potential. I almost passed on this but it goes to show you can't judge a pattern by the small icon online!

Later today or tomorrow I will post some of my latest projects!

Take care!!

The Contest.. free stuff and more!

Ready to Wear Contest

What a great rainy weekend it has been.. perfect for movie watching with Mr. Right and sewing. I had a productive weekend regarding the Pattern Review Ready to Wear contest. I have had an awful time trying to pick a RTW design to make. You’d think I wouldn’t but boy did I. Well then inspiration took over! I had three choices by Saturday and I am underway with my project! Yay. The downside is that it is a contest so I can't bring you all along on my journey. I will say this -- at first I was going to do a formal gown but then I decided to go with a casual dress that I would wear this summer on my cruise with the hubby for the big 2 year anniversary. This way if I don't win I still walk away a winner!

Aren't Free Things Fun


To my delight and surprise... I didn't know when the new pattern books came in some stores give away the past one. So I am at Joann's and low and behold I see the Early Spring Book has "free" written in Sharpie on it. This must be a joke right? So you are telling me I can take home one these catalogs and peruse them at home at my leisure -- oh they have gone and messed up now! LOL This is way too much access!

What's up this week:

*I will post my personal take on what the beginner sewer needs to know. I have been sewing "seriously" since October of 2007 and boy have I learned a lot. My take on what patterns to try, supplies, etc...

*Mark your calendars.. Pattern sales going on and coming up!

Joann's:
Simplicity -- now through February 23 * 5 for $5
McCall’s -- February 21-23 * $1.99
Butterick -- February 28-March 1 * $1.99
Vogue -- February 21-23 * $3.99

Hancock Fabrics:
Butterick -- February 28-March 2 * $.99McCall’s -- February 21-24 * $.99
Vogue -- February 28-March 2 * 75% off
Vogue -- February 18 * $3.88
Simplicity -- February 18 * 5 for $5

Have a great Monday!

**This just in... Vogue has a $6.99 sale on right now!! Ends tomorrow for those of you who don't have a JoAnn or Hancocks in your area.

Thursday Thoughts

So yesterday I got the Saks Fifth Avenue catalog in the mail. Previously I had talked with Cindy over at Dishmake about the lack of inspiration from my last few Lucky magazines. Well, honey, let me tell you, if you haven't signed up for your FREE Saks catalog you are missing out. I tabbed a million pages with great inspiration for upcoming garments!!! Here are some of my favorites.

So today I almost passed out...

Remember two weeks ago I told you my laptop died and I was clearly distraught? Well Mr. Right (dear hubby) is the man! He always has been but today he sealed the deal for his "boo" (giggles).

Turns out he made a million tech support calls today and my one month past warrenty brand new HP laptop is a part of a recall and therefore *may* be fixed for free. Praise God -- I mean that with all my heart. Who wants to spend a couple of hundred on something that shouldn't have broke? This means I will be back to my posting everyday mojo real soon!

Sewing news... So as you all know I entered the RTW sewing contest on SewingReview.com. Can we discuss how I havn't started on it yet?? LOL I guess I thrive on sewing under pressure! LOL Here we go!

Have a Happy Monday!

My favorites from the Spring lines! Yay!

So here is what I am loving right now..

New Look 6779
With all of the retro fabric I have been finding this pattern is great for a simple shift dress. I am talking about the Pucci inspired look in blue, green and black. I will probably make it shorter and sans pockets.

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Kwik Sew 3580
This pattern is a great alternative to the classic skirt. I love pockets!

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Kwik Sew 3579

Oh yeah! This is SO about to be on my list. I love the 80s feel to this dress. Their model's picture is kind of womp womp BUT I see the vision on this one.

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Kwik Sew 3578

Nothing *great* about this dress -- it's just cute and simple. Sometimes that's all you need.

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Butterick 5195

I love this dress and HATE I can't find it in misses sizes. How fly is this??

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Butterick 5191

This falls under my 80s glam look that I am loving. With my Mary Jane bangs this will look SO cute!

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Butterick 5187

I think this is so adorable, although I am struggling with the empire waist jackets because I feel like they make me look thick -- not necessarily fat just shapeless.. How are you all feeling about these jackets that have been all the rage over the last year?

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Butterick 5186

This jacket is clean and fresh and very versatile. I am seeing this with jeans, slacks and skirts. The possibilities are endless.

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Butterick 5179

I love the options on this pattern BUT is it just me or are the Big 4 duplicating the same styles over and over. I feel like I am the de ja vous sewer.. I wish they would think outside the box a little on the season lines. My 2 cents.

Voting.. and Valentine's Day Preps

So first off -- GO VOTE!!

Most people say they don't care who you vote for, just go vote. I don't work that way.. Do your research FIRST and then go vote. Not because someone is in your party, is attractive, is your race, is your gender, is your "label" (conservative, liberal, moderate, etc..) but vote because they are aligned with your views.

Here are some tools you can use to help you out!

Candidate Calculator

Vote Help Calculator

Full Slate of Candidates and their bios

"Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don't vote."

William E. Simon quotes

Also -- this is SO not an endorsement of any candidate BUT have you all seen this viral video going around by Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas? It is one of Barack Obama's speeches put to song by several Hollywood stars. It is VERY well done.

It's called "The Yes We Can Song"

VALENTINE'S DAY PREPS!

I am starting to get ready for Valentine's Day. Are any of you making anything special to wear on lover's day? I think I am -- I doubt it will happen because Mr. Right's parents will be in town from Wednesday to Sunday and we are about to have a ball playing host to my in-laws. It I can muster up a dress that would be great!

I am thinking about New Look 6779 the top left hand view with the Pucci look.. I that some cute red fabric that might make a great "little red dress" for V-day. You all know I can knock out a dress in a weekend! LOL

Here is a little recipe that may be great to make for your special someone -- even if that special someone is you! You've got to love yourself first! I will more a new one each day!

(*note to all I am not a lush LOL)

Vanilla Hot Chocolate Seduction

Nothing says romance like sharing a nice hot mug of Hot Chocolate with a Triple Sec kick!

"With the orange tones of the Triple Sec, this hot chocolate really is seductive," says New York and Raleigh, N.C.-based food stylist and author Fred Thompson in Hot Chocolate: 50 Heavenly Cups of Comfort (Harvard Common Press: 2006).

Garnished with white marshmallows rolled in a few drops of milk and then red and blue sprinkles, the steamy white concoction makes a pleasant sipper as the night air cools on your patriotic picnic, party boat or clambake.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
1/2 cup vanilla syrup
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
1 vanilla bean
6 oz. white chocolate, chopped
2 oz. white chocolate liqueur
2 oz. Triple Sec
marshmallows for garnish

Instructions:

1. Pour milk, vanilla syrup and salt into a medium-size saucepan. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring, until the mixture is hot. Do not boil.
2. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Add the seeds to the saucepan.
3. Add the white chocolate and stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Don't rush this step by turning up the heat, or the white chocolate may seize. Stir in the liqueurs and blend.
4. Pour the hot chocolate into four mugs and serve immediately, topped with marshmallows.

(Courtesy Hot Chocolate: 50 Heavenly Cups of Comfort, Harvard Common Press: 2006, by Fred Thompson)

The suit.. the dress.. the wardrobe.. lessons learned

THE SUIT...

(Butterick 5039 view E and McCall 5523 view B)

I am excited to share my suit that I wore on today's show. Pardon the wrinkles -- I had just gotten up from sitting down for 2 hours straight. I decided to stray from the gathered bottom to the jacket after some thought provoking comments from fellow fag blogger Kim B. She was right, the gathers would have been too much to with the pleated skirt.

SO I then decided, well pleats on the bottom, pleats on the top! Okay the overall effect is wonderful and I am really loving it. I made the pleats with NO PATTERN -- sooooo they sit just a little funny. Not enough to do over, but to learn a lesson for next time!

THE DRESS...

(McCall 5468 view D)

Remember the dress I made for my sorority sister's baby shower -- but then it was like 25 degrees outside so I had to opt for pants? Well I got to wear it to my coworker's bridal shower this weekend. Loved it! I will say this, the neckline is a bit wide. I mean fall off the hanger wide. I will make not of that if I make it again.

The Lamp Shade Sleeve

FIRST THE RANDOMNESS...

Happy Friday good people! Boy am I ready for the weekend baby! LOL. Before I start gabbing about fashion, I really want to take a second and talk about all of the wonderful people I have met while blogging. Who knew sewing was alive and well (and ULTRA trendy, fab and as creative as it is) in 2008!? I hate to say it but the last 4 months have been an eye opener.

Who knew I would have 12,655 hit on this little blog of mine in just the first four months of starting it? Who knew that I would have visitors from the US, Australia, Finland, Mexico, Spain and the UK just to name a few (according to sitemeter.com)????

So thank you to all of you who just stop by to check out my random life and my love of sewing! I would LOVE to hear from my international readers on their sewing bio, personal style and how in the heck did they find my lil blog from Knoxville, TN??? LOL

THE LAMPSHADE SLEEVE

Now on to the business!! I have been a silent hater of the lampshade sleeve. I kept telling myself I would like it eventually but that day never came and then this.....



That Kerri Washington is rocking this suit SO tough it hurts. She is the diva of the week in this wonderful suit!!! I am coveting it so much -- I've got to have it!!! So now the search is on for what pattern best fits this look -- hello big four!

PS.. Today is National Wear Read Day!!

"Your support is a vital part of the Go Red movement. So please, wear RED on February 1st, and support the cause throughout the month by shopping for Go Red products, taking the Heart CheckUp or getting involved with the movement in your community. Do what you can - for your health, for your life, for the women you love."

For more information check Go Red for Women and The American Heart Association!