"Sacred Places"........series

      This series for me has been a life time of struggling and learning to which I feel I can say I have painted something good.  These new paintings incorporate my love of traveling into the unknown.......or simply put, where there is no map or maybe reaching one's destination and it isn't on the map, and the feeling of awe when you get swept up in the new environment.  For me the white fog in the paintings represent the unknown and the pseudo self portraits are one of zillions of emotions one goes through when traveling the unkown.  This new series is simply called, "Sacred Places".  

"Captured" oil on linen, copper leaf and graphite

         This next painting was the first piece when I started thinking of this new idea of "Sacred Places".  I feel that it is not as successful, but has potential.  Eventually, I want to repaint it in a larger format (3'x4') cause right now I feel it is too small and tight. (18"x 24")  Since I am a tactile person...I don't get upset about re-working or re-doing paintings...it is just part of the hard work that goes into what you love.




"Inner Calling" oil on panel, gold leaf, charcoal

      I would to hear feedback on these paintings.  ENJOY!

Vogue 8815....Love the Peplum

         For the longest time I have been wanting to make a peplum blouse.  I waited until Hancock Fabrics had their $3.99 Vogue pattern sale and then I snatched one up.  The pattern and instructions were so easy, that I whipped out this top in no time.  Also, I contemplated the exposed zipper look for the back; however, I wasn't a fan of the zipper tape showing on the outside.....so I compromised.  I purchased a thick silver metal teeth zipper and sewed the zipper tape to the seam and exposed the teeth.  I really love the way it came out; which is neat and modern. Check out the detail photo of the back of  the top:

"Modern and Neat"

      Here are my  sewing notes for the peplum top:  Fabric used a black cotton broadcloth.  Adjustments:  full arm (and I made a narrow hem for sleeve) and elongated the torso 1 1/4".  (Note:  the waist line for the top is suppose to sit about an inch from you waist, I thought that was to high for me, so I made the waist line of the blouse rest 1/2" above my natural waist....which I think is flattering and comfortable.) I  sewed french seams for the blouse except for the zipper, I self bound my seams.  *Oh, just thought I would mention something about french seams....if the fabric isn't even when you sew your first set of seams then you should trim any excess.  I forgot this and along the waistline where the darts were not perfectly squared....they showed up on the front of the top.  So I had to very carefully trim those fly aways.  Now I am becoming more aware of this the more I sew french seams.

      For the skirt, I decided to use pattern New Look 6107  .  I really like the back vent on this pencil skirt....to me it looks more professional.  Check out the photo:

                                                       "Back vent with regular zipper"

       Here are my sewing notes for this skirt:  Fabric, I choose this Victorian cotton floral.  For the underlining I choose a poly/cotton batiste. Also, made bias tape from the Victorian cotton for self bound seams.  For this skirt I really wanted to try underlining the skirt instead of lining.  *Underlining is when you cut the same pattern pieces for the inside fabric as well as the outside fabric, and baste them together....so that is what I did.  I machine basted the pieces together and then sewed it up following the instructions.  Adjustments:  no measurement adjustments; however, I did change up the zipper installation.  The pattern called for a lapped zipper seam; however, I just did a standard zipper installation.  * I learned this technique of basting the seams together and then putting a standard zipper face down on the inside seam and sew it.  Once you take out the basting it matches up nicely.  It is pretty quick and easy. Although an invisible zipper would have been just as nice and easy.  (Maybe next time I will go for the lapped zipper to test my skills?)  Anyway, I self bound all seams and did a blind hem stitch for hem.  (I love cotton for the blind hem stitch technique....so easy.)   Check out the photo for the inside of the skirt: 

 

"Inside Skirt with self bound seams / underlining"

      So here is my new spring outfit together.  I really love the cotton.........very comfortable and easy.

                                                                              

     

"Spring time outfit"

    Side note:  I had so much fun taking this photo.  It was a cool and wet morning so my bare feet kept sliding and sinking in the mud.

My sister's Mother Day presents

   Oh my, Mother's Day is fast approaching and I have been busy sewing presents for my sister.  Now my sister is a very young 40 year old and she loves Hello Kitty. Even though we both like all those cute Hello Kitty things (stationary, etc...........eventually it just becomes clutter.)  So, I decided to make my sis some Hello Kitty pillowcases for Mother's Day.  (at least they are functional.)

   I was at my neighborhood Hancock Fabrics,(which on occasion, I do feel like singing the theme song to Cheers when I walk in....cause the workers really do know the frequent shoppers names.)  even though I went in to get one thing, I fell in love with the Hello Kitty cupcake cotton fabric..........and with my 40% off coupon...........grabbed that bolt and went  straight to the cutting counter. Oh, I have made pillowcases before, and always carry my handy little sewing note book; which contains the amounts of fabric I need for frequent projects.  I do try to stay organized when it comes to sewing.

   The pillowcases sewed quick & easy (using the tube method and french seams.)  Not because I am a sewing genius, but rather due to a wonderful you tube video I found online.  Check it out: Overall quilter

       
   Here is a photo of one of two matching pillowcases:

"Hello Kitty Cupcake Cotton Fabric"


    Ya'll are probably over seeing the "Meringue Top" by Colette Patterns, but I thought I would make one for my sister in a nice cotton lawn from fashion fabric club.  Yeah, every once in a while ffc will have a sale on all cotton lawn fabric, so I picked up a few yards for me and my sis. Now my sis lives around New Orleans, so if anyone has ever been there they know how hot it can be in summer.  So cotton lawn is great for the heat.  Anyway, check out the shirt. (Oh, did make bias tape from some nice Kona Cotton):

    I hope everyone out there has a wonderful Mother's Day.