Ding Ding Ding! 500th Follower Giveaway

I've been planning a very special SUPER SECRET GIVEAWAY for the day I hit 500 followers...  (Welcome to the crazy house Kay!)


In celebration of the fact that I've been doing this a while now, and that you're all still reading (even when I don't DO anything. heh.)  I want to say THANK YOU!   And what better way to do that than with a prize...

For kicks (and my own amusement) the prize will be a box filled with sewing and vintage goodness.   Although I'm going to keep the contents secret until the giveaway mails out, I can promise it will hold the following yummies:
*At least FIVE gorgeous vintage patterns
*Lovely yardage from my personal stash, enough for at least one garment
*Vintage jewelry item(s)
*Vintage magazine
*Sewing notions *vintage and new*
*...and more!

And if you are suspicious of my giveaway box filling abilities, here is the last giveaway box I threw together:

Leave a comment on this post to enter!  You have until Thursday at MIDNIGHT CST.  In fairness to those who actually follow and participated in getting me to 500, you must be a follower to enter.  Although I am thankful for you all, even new visitors!  

Happy Monday, everyone!

Shallow Sunday and the Snake

Sooo I was all mojo'd up because of this, and I went tra-la-la-ing through my fabric boxes (stored behind my sewing cabinet door) looking for the PERFECT wintery fabric and what should fall into my lap but...

A FREAKING SNAKE SKIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even me, with my ever present camera, cannot capture this for you on film.  I've still got the shakes.

(If I were Oona, I'd have a stash of liquor suitable for curing a snake shake, but since I am not I don't.  ALAS.)

You know what soothes my shaken, battered soul?   Pinterest.  


SPECIFICALLY...yummy eye candy on Pinterest. 

If I had to choose just one to deal with THE SNAKE, I'd go with McQueen. 

If I had to choose one to MARRY RIGHT FREAKING NOW, it'd be Colin Firth.  (But we might have to hire someone to deal with the snake.)

Random interesting Pinterest fact... Cary Grant has the most repins of anyone on my pin board.  Dudes everywhere should start taking notes methinks.

Now I'm off to drink a glass of water and take a deep, calming breath.  Again.

ps...My dear father came to my house to poke around for the snake.  He thinks its gone.  AAAHHHHHHHH. 

good bye.

Burda Style 11/11

Maybe it's just the cool date of this issue, but something has finally sparked my sewing urge!  There are several things I will trace today and probably a few more that will get flagged with a sticky.

Dress 119:  It has a vintage 40s feel in the model photo, so of course I love it.  I like the interesting construction lines (although I haven't been a fan of all the "flaps" BS seems to be throwing into random garments.  These are less flaps and more...capelet?)

Kimono Jacket #121:  I'm sure it's just a big rectangle with a couple of holes for a tie.  Smashing though.

Dress #117:  "Jessie's Girl" immediately started playing in my head when I saw this dress.  I can't explain it.  Much like my love for the dress.  It's a mystery...

Maxi "granny" Skirt #116: I'm a fan of all things kooky.  This is kooky (and not an elastic waist!) If you're into maxi skirts, I think this is a stylish choice.

Little Black Dress #123:  Simple and rather perfect.

Dress #107:  I really can't control my prairie fashion love.  I'll admit it's a problem.  Hello my name is Angie and I love the 70s Laura Ingalls look.  (If I start loving disco dresses and huge bell bottoms THEN you can start mocking me.  For now, let's allow this delusion to run its course).  Flannel dresses, Yes.  Especially with a floral underskirt and LACE.  (and granny boots). 

(Plus) Pants #136:  I LOVE these!  Woot for cute plus pants!!  Especially casual pants...we see them so rarely in BS.

Top #130:   Saving my Favorite for last!  I LOVE this top.  Of course it has ruffles, so that will be off putting to you ruffle haters, but...the lines are SO flattering.  I love the sleeve and the seaming and the midriff piece and the peplum.  If I still had time to design patterns for myself, I would have designed this.  No lie.

  

Honorable Mention Jacket #132:  Another plus design that deserves a mention. I get tired of all the jackets and coats BS puts out, because I don't enjoy making them (totally selfish reason).  I also have one tiny closet and nowhere to put winter jackets and coats (so I'm limited as to how many I can store).  But this looks like a great basic for shlepping to the grocery store (with those cute pants up there) or walking the trail after school on brisk autumn afternoons.  (Assuming I actually walked the trail.  Which I might start doing.)

 

That's it!  My picks.  I'll be tracing the plus top today and honestly, the Jessie's Girl dress.  My warm leggings are cute little boots are calling my name these days and that dress is perfect for that.  I might trace the jacket too.  I have turquoise stretch velour (don't ask) somewhere...  It's prettier than it sounds.

Happy Saturday!

Footloose!

Last night I went to see Footloose with my buddy Anna.  This hardcore 80s girl was dubious.  

For about 90 seconds. 

It was awesome!  I love a remake that doesn't think it has to change everything and make it "better".  

And.  The boots live!

So does that 80s tuxedo. ;)

Good popcorn movie!  No heavy thought process required.

Speaking of crafty gifts...

Kudos to Pinterest for inspiring my creative side when all I want to do is nap.

 

apron in a jar.

 

spray paint thrifted frames, add corkboard.

 

Scrap paper + thrifted frame.  Add dry erase marker.

 

white tiles + scrap paper + mod podge = coasters! 

 (add felt to bottom)

 

my fave...a perpetual calendar.  brilliant.

could use...covered buttons glued to flat-top tacks?

Now accepting...crafty gift idea goodness.  Inspire me not to nap.  Please.

wednesday wisdom.

 

Two cookies if you know. :-)

countdown...

 

Can you believe it??  

We should have a handcrafted gift sewalong.  Any takers??

Polyvore Potions

Some lighter fare for a chilly October morning...

 

Thank you for the sweet comments and prayers for yesterday's post.  I normally wouldn't share something quite so personal here, but she can definitely use your positive energy right now!  So thanks. :)

denial.

I'm going to admit it.  I've been in denial for a few days about a cancer diagnosis for one of my students at school.

I love her, she's just precious.  She's been with me since her freshman year, and is now a senior.  I'm heartbroken for her and her family, because it's not going to be an easy fight.

I've been thinking for several days...they must be wrong.  I'm going to get an email update any day now, saying Oops!  We were wrong, it's just the flu. 

That email isn't coming.

I accepted that today, when I stood in the book aisle of the Dollar General, picking out a Lisa Frank coloring book (because who doesn't love coloring Lisa Frank?) and giant box of crayons to stick in her care package.  And started to cry.

I cried for the unjustness and the unfairness, and yes, even for selfish reasons too, like that completely helpless feeling.  And believe me, there's nothing that brings reality crashing home like crying in the dollar store while picking up grape soda and toilet paper.  

She knows I love her.  I take comfort in that for now.

wednesday wisdom.

these are a few of my favorite things...

For the first day of the new block at school, I made an "All About ME" slideshow.  I LOVE IT.  I have to share...it's such a simple thing, but it was so much fun to describe myself in pictures. 

I hope you enjoyed the (not so little) trip down Me Lane!  It was fun to make...I highly recommend it.  We could do a Favorite Things Blog Share!