Where does the time go?

Wow I can't believe its been over three weeks since I last posted on my blogs.  After two business trips to Ottawa, a lovely holiday in the Dominican Republic and a three hour road trip to visit family I finally find my self at home sweet home.  I had said to myself that I would find some time while on the road to connect with my fellow bloggers.  But, actions did not follow good intentions...yes, I've been a bad blogger.  

While in the Dominican Republic, my swimsuit cover up that I made in December got the wear test.   What is the wear test you ask?  Not only does a garment have to look good when you try it on, but it needs to be totally functional and wearable.   Test number one,  low maintenance after being rolled up in a suitcase for hours and hours...passed.  Survived a day at the beach...passed.  Still looks good after a few trips to the pool...passed.  Coordinates with beach towel assigned by hotel....bonus points.   Comfortable to wear all day, no pulling riding, falling off the shoulders...passed.   Survived the trip home and the first run through the washing machine, no fabric wear, pilling or seams that need reinforcing...passed.  Ahhh....success.   After going through my vacation photos, I realized that I hadn't captured a shot of me wearing the cover up.   So, instead I'm sharing a couple of beach photos.

I hoping to work on some unfinished projects this week, including the Anthropologie shirt refashion that I blogged about in August.  I'll also be posting another free pattern giveaway...so stayed tuned.

Christiana

Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman with a Sewing Machine!

Feeling Stichy posted this cute saying and I couldn't wait to share it with all my on-line sewing peeps! Another business trip has kept me far..far away from my sewing projects. Tonight was "hang out" on line night and I got caught up with the sewing blog community. Here's some are some of the highlights of my travels through the cyber sewing space.

...turning back time with a little vintage
I absolutely adore Evie's vintage creation. Such an elegant dress in a radiant blue. Sew amazing! She even has the perfect finishing touches, love the shoes and the seamed stockings. The weather is cooling off and Lemondrop Vintage is cuddling up with the soon to arrive little lemondrop in a cozy vintage sweater.

One less UFO -
How many of us have a few UnFinishedObjects in our stash. Sewing projects that we started; but never finished. Paul Simon sings about 50 Ways to Leave your Lover. There must be at least 50 ways to recover that UFO...just slip into the stash...make a new plan... Check out Sharon's project from two years ago that she recently finished. Great job on such an unique skirt.

New Looks from Old Patterns
I just adore it when I see new styles adapted from old patterns. The caftan pattern that the writer of The Sew Convert Blog used to create her fabulous tops from reminds me of a caftan pattern that my mom used to make caftans for me, my sister, my aunt and herself. The new look to an old style is a great example of how creative you can get with sewing patterns.

A new seamstress.
I love it when I hear about little ones being inspired to sew. I started sewing early. Harvey's Seat Belt Blog shared a story of an up an coming seamstress. What is Harvey's Seat Belt Blog all about? If you're into handbags...and I do love handbags...you have to check these guys out. In 1997, when installing seat belts in a 1950's Buick, they came up with the idea of making a matching seat belt. Now they make hundreds of seat belt bags. So cool!

Speaking of Handbags, I recently discovered The Miche Bag. A handbag with interchange able shells. I'm wondering if any bloggers out there have tried making custom shells for the Miche Bag.

Well...it's getting late and I have another presentation tomorrow, so...
Type at you later!
Christiana

Update on the Sixty Year old Unfinished Project

Just wanted to give ya'll an update on the framing of my mom's sewing diploma. Yes it's back from the framers and it looks fabulous. I promise to post a photo in the next week or so.
Stay tuned...Christiana

Completion of the Sixty Year Old Unfinshed Project

We moved to Calgary last July, and although I setup my sewing room months ago the walls are bare. So this weekend I decided it was time to decorate those bare walls. One of the things that I've been carrying around with me for over 15 years is my mom's dressmaking diploma. A diploma that she earned in Holland in 1949. For years, my mom said she was going to frame it and display it in her sewing area. When she passed away in 1993, the diploma was given to me. And for over 16 years I've been saying I'm going to frame it and hang it in my sewing area. It took over sixty years, but that diploma is finally getting framed. It will be ready in a couple of weeks and I'm so excited to be able to display it in my sewing room.