Blue Monday.......

...but I'm not feeling blue!  This blue mystery fabric which I found @ Walmart almost 9

years ago, finally became something, lol ;-)  It's a kinda linen like  fabric, but with a lil stretch to it. I still have a ton left, since I couldn't walk away from a bargain.  If you're a stasher like me, there may be quite 

a few fabrics that don't know who they wanna be in your stash too!!

Fabric Store Visit ....

It's been a very long time since I've trekked downtown to one of my favorite fabric stores, "High Fashion Fabrics". My goodness, what took me so long to get back there? I believe it's been several years, eew! I admit, I have gotten a bit lazy when it comes to actually going, "fabric

shopping". Houston is pretty big and I try not to get tangled up in traffic venturing off my side of town, so I usually end up going to the nearest Hancock or Joann's for my fix. (fabric fondling,..don't act like you dont kno, lol) I'm always online, purchasing, wishing I could feel some of those gorgeous fabrics from some of my favorite online fabric sources, but I just place an order, wait and hope the color is true, texture is right, etc. But, there's nutin like seeing true designer fabrics in person, ya kno. I've been curious about the feel of bamboo for some time, an they have such a variety here. I've been fussin bout knits @Joann's and this

place has rows and rows and rooms. What should I pick solids, prints, 2way, 4way's, dang I need a..... Well, let's juz say I got a bit carried away, lol. This trip really helped kick my mojo back into check, unfortunately it also put a dent in my wallet. I must say I did enjoy my 4hours of fondling. Of course I did pick up a few things, but I'll post later! Here's some fabric porn...

Juz the idea's from this fabric draped on this manikin evolks naughty visions of sexiness, so I dare try not to purchase this fabric, on behalf of my sexy alter ego, lol. Well not this time anyway..

Directly across the street from High Fashion Fabric is ..

High Fashion Home. They have some of the oddest, and unique furniture pieces, not to mention Art. The upholstery fabric selection, is unbelievable, I even came across some Louie and Fendie fabric there. Now me wants to change my pillows on the sofa and try my hands at some of the beautiful sheers I spotted too! Well, until I can get to that fabulous fabric district in New York, I realize now that I'm not so limited in the fabrics, if I'm willing to travel a bit. Seeya!

Fabric Store Visit

I hadn't been to the fabric store in some time, so on my lunch break I decided to go to my local Joann's to pick up some notions. I came across quite a few nice fabrics to play with! They also had McCalls on sale @ 1.99, so of course I had to pull up a chair and flip thru the pages. Now, I did have a list at home of some I wanted to try, but all is great none the less. Here's a few I picked:

Really digging this wrap dress.

I'm also digging pretty much all the Hillary Duff collection!

Really, it's time for me to go thru my fabric stash, I'm sure I have something interesting to try with these great patterns. Of course, some fabrics I have no idea what to do with:

This fabric is bold, shimmery and it has a lot of stretch to it.

Here's some new fabrics I picked up at Joann's yesterday:

Looks like I have enuff for spring break week to stay busy!

Incomplete Projects.........

I confess, it's been quite a while since I've actually sewn anything.

I went to visit my mom the other day and she had quite a few projects she was working on. (I love to see her in action) A few re-designs, you know..... the skirt from one outfit, top from another, few darts here and there etc. Usually I just watch her, but on this day she inspired me. lol Yep, we ripped the lining out of a dress to make it fit better, she took a large dress cut it down to fit her perfectly! I must say, it did awaken my sewing mojo, in fact I decided to dust off my old machines, take them out of the closet and tackle some of my incomplete projects.

I had to think back,.... why did I stop sewing anyway? hymn..... Ooh I remember, my sewing area was turned into a sitting room! Hubby's idea, well, it's time for a transformation.
After reading a few blogs, finding out there are so many women like myself that enjoy sewing, I was so inspired again. I have rolled out my sewing cabinet, re-aligned the screen on my machine, re-threaded my serger and opened up my project chest!

I found a dress I started on a few years back, well okay, maybe 7yrs back, I know-I know. lol Yes, its been a long while. I just refuse to start on something new til I finish this dress.

It's an old pattern from Vogue by Anna Sui, the Attitudes collection. You can hardly see the dress here, but it's the black & white checkered dress. It's a wrap halter dress. Here's a better shot, I hope... I'm sure it's out of print.

Here's a pic of my unfinished dress, notice my fabric choice.....bold huh...

Front view

Side view

The Lost Pocket

The Back

Now, I was pretty adventurous with the fabric I chose, I mean, I liked it, back then and I still do. But now, I'm somewhat a lil more toned down. (does that make sense?) Anywho, it's a lil too short, I didn't hem it so, I'm thinking of adding a few inches to the hemline. This weekend I'll be on the lookout for a contrasting color preferably in drk. brown. I was thinking of also trimming the pockets in brown (they are lost in the busy fabric) and making the tie ends that wrap around in brown also. What do you think?