Come As You Are - PPR Challenge #1

Challenge #1 – “Come As You Are”


The first challenge of this season's Project Runway had the designers creating an outfit using their pajames and a bed sheet. 
 
Modified for Project Project Runway the designers' rules from Just Crafty Enough:

"You can use either the clothes your model is currently wearing OR a 10″ x 10″ square of fabric similar to your own pajamas. On top of that, you can use a handkerchief worth of white cotton or cotton-ploy blend fabric. The standard woman’s handkerchief is 10″ x 10″. You can manipulate the fabric anyway you want with dye, fabric paint, etc… You can also add things like buttons, velcro, and trims."

Since my model was, at that time, wearing a layer of PlayDoh (trying to make a mold for a dress form....fail) I was glad we had the option of using our pajamas for inspiration!

my pajama top

 similiar fabric square and square of white cotton

I used colored pencils to draw a plaid design on the white cotton for the bodice.  It shows up better here on this discarded piece that it does on the dress.

The skirt of the dress is from the pajama design fabric.  The back closes with velcro. Embroidery floss creates the strap design and waist embellishment.

Heidi will say "It's ok. A bit boring. It could be shorter"
Michael... "Where is she going?"   My answer... "Sunday brunch at the shore with girlfriends"
Nina..."what is that mess in the back?"

There was a bit of a learning curve as I've made less than a dozen garments in my lifetime, and never clothes this small.  Darts, waist adjustments, hems.... yikes!  But it turned out okay.  I think I'll make it to the next round. 

Lizbeth, on the other hand, may not.  There was not full disclosure during the contract negotiations.  Turns out she is bald . . . . not that there's anything wrong with that . . . . but it kind of makes her one note in the styling department.  I feel bad with the tough current economic environment that she no longer has the Dollar Store opportunity so I'll keep her on.  She can help in the workroom, and she has expressed an interest in child development.... when the grandkids come she can try her hand at entertaining them.

This week I'll be making a trip to the model casting department. 
And I'm expecting delivery of the Pepperlove Accessory wall. 
(So excited!)

Can't wait to see what the next challenge is!

Happy Birthday Lynzee Ann!

I can't believe you're two already!

 Brand new

 "Okay, Grandma.  Put down the camera and push me!"

"Heard any good jokes lately?"

Indoor picnic with Grandpa. 

She dressed for the occassion with her little black dress.

Lynzee and cousin Dexter

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

I love you bunches!

Project Project Runway

Oh, how I loves me a good challenge! 

I'm a relatively new (in the last year or two) Project Runway fan.  The new season is starting tomorrow.... woo hoo!  Last season, just at the end, I discovered a couple of talented, fun bloggers, Kathy and Susi, that were creating collections along with the Project Runway show, but in miniature... on Barbies... sooooo cute!  They are doing it again this time and I'm joining in the fun.

I contracted with my model several weeks ago in hopes that I could participate.  She was having trouble finding modeling work and was stuck at a Dollar Store - I saved her from that.  Meet Lizbeth.

We're going all the way to Bryant Park!

The first challenge will be posted Friday morning and finished garments will be revealed the following Thursday on the Project Project Runway Flickr group.

Join us?

 

Happy Birthday Caycee Kathleen!!!

Oh, so long ago.

 

Caycee loves to help out.

And she loves a good dance. 

 Caycee and cousin Cooper.... I think they are making plans.

 "Ohhhhh, it's so much work!!!"

"Ahhhh, my turn.... a ride and a drink."

 "Where's Grandpa?  Why didn't he come with you?!"

 "Take a picture and I'll wave 'hi' to Grandpa"

Love you sweetheart!  Happy Birthday!    

Sweet and Sour Pair

This quilt top is Sweet and Sour Slices . . .

And this one is Sweet and Sour Sampler . . .

The quilt tops are piling up... I really need to get on the frame.  Hmm, maybe I should move it upstairs.  That's something to think about :)

Today's Sunshine

I could find any sunshine today, so I brightened my world with some flowers.

Now if I could just get a chance to spend some quality time with my quilting frame, all would be good!

Little Quilts

I've been playing with little quilts in between the big ones.  These sure do finish a lot faster.  And I'm loving the new embroidery features I discovered on my machine. 

I'm not sure where this one came from.  I haven't been to the beach in forever.  And the last time I wore a bikini was waaaaay longer ago than that!

 But, hey, a girl can dream!

My second little quilt attempt came out a little neater.

Being different sure makes one stand out.  I guess that's the good and the bad of it.

Pattern Testing

Jennifer of All Things Belle made a Paper Pieced Patriotic Pennant Pattern (phew!) and when she was looking for testers I volunteered.  Fun pattern!  I love patriotic and I've recently come to love bunting so this was just right for me. 

It was a relatively easy pattern to do, and it's super cute. 

I learned a few things...
1.  I really have to concentrate when I do any kind of paper piecing. 
2.  I love the precise results you get from paper piecing.
3.  "Prim"  means primitive art.... all you arty people probably already knew that.... I didn't. I asked Jennifer if she had a typo on her pattern... color me embarrassed!

The pattern is for the pennants themselves and you'll find a free tutorial on Jennifer's blog using the pennants to make a Prim Patriotic Banner.  She used a ruffly holder but I had a length of leftover binding that worked just right.  I embroidered stars near the hanging ends.  I folded over a few inches of the binding at each end and stitched it to make loops for hanging.

How do you like my bunting holders?

Jennifer plans an entire line of paper pieced patterns that she will be selling in her All Things Belle Etsy Shop.  I've seen the next one and can't wait to test it!

Here a Bag. There a Bag.

A few weeks ago I made these bags by request.  I became addicted to them.  They are large flat bags with batting and lining.  The top is folded over so the lining shows for the accent.  Both fabrics are used on the handles and there is a little pocket inside.  It was fun to match the fabrics and then to find different ways to quilt each one.  A few have wavy lines, one is meandering. One has veins quilted on the leaves.  The black and white one has white buttons; the smokey one has glass beads and glittery floss flowers. The reddish one has white french knots. 

There were scraps leftover so they became tissue holders and zipper bags.  What else could I do?!

The bags have gone to their new homes but, in between making quilts, I keep making bags.  I can't help it.

I have two more finished and a few more in progress.

Yep, I'm a bag lady.

Happy Birthday Zak!

I can't believe it's been five years already! 

We sure made a lot of memories in that time.

You are such a sweet, handsome, smart boy. 

I love you to pieces!!!

(Just checking to see if y'all are paying attention :)  )

You are such a good big brother.

Sweet boy.

I hope you had a great birthday.

Sunday Breakfast With Family - The Aftermath

Whenever I'm able head North of a Sunday morning, I always enjoy breakfast out with Mom and my siblings.  Sometimes a niece or a partner will be there too :)  I LOVE having someone else cook for me and serve me!  And someone pouring my coffee for me.  Okay, I have to pour the coffee myself.  But someone else made it!

But, really, the best part is the visit afterwards, back at Mom's.  The restaurant din is gone and we laugh and joke.  We feast on whatever sweet Mike happened to bring (thanks, Mike!) and enjoy more coffee. And laugh and joke and converse some more.  This time I happened to have my camera . . .

 Mom hangs out with people in high places

 Pat hangs out with everybody.

It was great to see you all today!