OMG

Sorry for my lack of posting this past week! Between life in general and blogger going down..I, well, I just haven't had anything fabulous to say!

Until now...

Almost hubby is officially my almost hubby! I'm engaged! Yay!

I am obviously super duper excited and happy..it happened about 5 hours ago and I am still over the moon. =)
 Anyway, not much else to say but I wanted to share the good news with you all.

I will be participating in my first sewalong!

Hey all..
I'm happy to report that I will be participating in my very first sewalong!!

It's a beginner's sewalong, so kindly hosted by Sunni from A Fashionable Stitch (formerly The Cupcake Goddess). I'm so so excited. Sunni is not only incredibly talented but has done fabulous sewalongs in the past..those trousers..drool. Oh my gosh, I'm sure I will learn so much. I ordered the pattern tonight, so hopefully I will get it by the time the sewalong actually starts..I will definitely post on my progress..and of course, the finished product.. =)

Starting to sew..

Hi everyone! Happy Monday! =)

It's been about 8 months since I first started sewing..so it's needless to say that I'm not an expert on any sewing related topic. But I received a request (!!!!) on doing some beginner sewing related posts..so here goes nothing!

Okay, so I know that starting something new especially when there's no one next to you telling you how to do something can be scary. I was totally scared. I even still get nervous about new skills I haven't tried or mastered (inserting a zipper..gasp!) But seriously, you just have to jump in. You will be amazed at how much you learn and how accomplished you feel..even if you're project doesn't turn out super nice.

I'm assuming you don't want to do only hand sewing..but if you do, bless your heart. If you don't, you will need a functioning sewing machine. I highly suggest going for one that has the easy front threading and an automatic needle threader and bobbin winder. My newer machine, the Brother Innov-is 80, does. It's fabulous and I absolutely love it and don't mind changing thread EVER.

 When I started sewing, however, I had the Singer 500A Slant-O-Matic..from when? The 1950's? I LOVE this machine, but the threading can be difficult at times, and I spent a lot of time and a lot of patience threading and re-threading the machine. I still learned quite a bit and it worked..but it wasn't nearly as convenient as the Brother. So if you have the option, go for the easier threading/newer machine. 

 

Some other things you will need are pins, thread, extra bobbins, an iron and ironing board, and cutting tools such as fabric scissors, embroidery or thread scissors, and especially if you're quilting I suggest a rotary cutter, clear ruler, and self healing mat.

My first fabric scissors were just Fiskars ones from Walmart, and they work just fine. The thread scissors I'm talking about were also from Walmart, and were.. I don't know 3-4 dollars? But they're great. The cutting end is slightly curved which makes it easy to clip threads nice and close to your project. 

horrible picture but you can see the curve

And of course, you will need fabric. If you're cheap like me (LOL) and you don't want to pay retail price for fabric you'll be learning on, go to yard sales and thrift stores to get some stuff to practice with. Or ask your friends and family if anyone has fabric they don't want/old curtains, ETC.  Practice sewing straight lines, making seams, sewing curves, using different stitches..just get familiar with your machine and how it feels.
Then, you need a project, big or small, to make. Get a pattern if you want, or just wing it like I did for my first sewing project. Either way, just go for it. Mistakes will be made, it will never be perfect. Don't worry about it. Consult books, or like me, the internet (youtube.com and this fabulous blogland) for tips, tricks, advice, or inspiration. Seriously, if it weren't for the internet I don't think I'd be sewing yet.
But really, I can't say it enough, just go for it. You will learn so much in every project. And hopefully, you'll love it as much as I do and end up thinking about sewing constantly. LOL.

I think that's it for now..if there's anything I left out or you have questions on feel free to let me know. AND if there's anything else you want to read from me DEFINITELY tell me, I love to hear from you!

This pesky project of mine..

I was super duper ambitious when I started crocheting. I had absolutely no concept of how long things take me.
Which, by the way, it's been just about a year since I learned. Nifty tidbit.
I started with a baby blanket..and then naively jumped into a HUGE blanket for my sissy. I think it's 300 chains across. And I honestly hadn't touched it for..oh I don't know..five months. For shame, self. For shame.
Last night I finally started working on it again..I had hoped it would be a housewarming gift for Leah and her girlfriend. Alas, they moved in to their new apartment last week and the blanket won't be with them for quite awhile. =(. Anyway, it does feel good to work on a project that's been kind of looming over my head for quite some time now. I showed pictures of it back in January..but for all of you who didn't see it...

Thankfully, it has grown since I took these pictures but you can basically see.. yeah. The pattern is SO EASY. Just chains and extended double crochets. I will have a poop ton of ends to sew in when I'm done though. Wouldn't this pattern make a fun scarf?

Fashionably late...Want It Wednesday!

I wasn't incredibly inspired today for my Want It Wednesday post..until I remembered that I re-obsessed with nail polish.   This post is dedicated to making our paws pretty. =)

1. I'm late to this..OPI Alice in Wonderland collection. WHAT??? OMGosh.  I know, it's awesome. I want: Absolutely Alice (go here to buy), Thanks so Muchness (go here), and Mad as a Hatter (go here)

Absolutely Alice

Thanks So Muchness

Mad as a Hatter

 

2. Hello Kitty Nail polish... um yeah. I'm a huge dork. I wouldn't say I've ever been obsessed with Hello Kitty..but I was browsing Sephora the other day and came across the Hello Kitty nail polishes and I want a bunch of them now. =). And the bottle is super adorable. I'm so excited too because I ordered Pink Sprinkles and I can't wait to try it!

<---see? Get it here. But I also want Blueberry, Banana Cream, Minty, and Purple Sprinkles. Seriously though..look at the bottle. Squeeeeeee.

3. Have you guys tried Essie nail polishes? I have to say that I'm a fan. I have three of them and all cover really well after only one coat with only minor tip wear after a couple of days. I'm not going to get into every.single.color that I want because this post would be a million miles long.. but from their latest summer collection I want braziliant, smooth sailing, and too too hot.

braziliant

smooth sailing

too too hot

That's all for now guys. I hope you got some good ideas! Also- don't think there's anything wrong with cheaper polish..I happen to have dollar store glitter on my nails at the moment and it works just fine!

Look what I found!

So yesterday almost hubby and I went to Columbus Flea Market to browse and pass the time. It was nice actually because I normally find that place to be over crowded and just overall kind of frustrating. But yesterday, it rained a little before we got there, and there were thunderstorm warnings for a little later..so there was hardly anyone there. I loved it! haha. We were lucky and picked up a few things for good prices, but look at my favorite:

 It is the absolute cutest picture ever. It's framed and was $1.00.. and every time I look at it I giggle. I'm torn between hanging it in our downstairs bathroom, or our bedroom. And I have no idea when it's from..the 70's maybe?

Want It Wednesday!

Hey guys..it's all about the shoes today. I just can't help myself..but who doesn't constantly find shoes that they want?

1. These turquoise beauties from Shoes.com. I think they look like great wedding shoes, elegant, yet fun with the color. They could be your something blue. 

2. These lovely sparkly ones also from Shoes.com. Okay, I recognize that they are a little impractical..but sometimes impracticality can be the most fun. =). I want them in the multi (shown below), and also in silver. Silver would be great for New Years Eve!

3. Last but not least from Shoes.com, these are just stunning. I am absolutely obsessed with the color. And I would totally wear them at my future wedding. YUM.

4. EVERYONE has seen these heeled saddle shoes right? Well, yeah. I want at least one pair! Particularly in a brown hue.. I think they're great shoes to have and are so versatile.
These ones are from Modcloth.com and would work just fine indeed.

5. Silly, maybe. A little late? Perhaps. I want simple gladiator style sandals, kind of like this pair from H&M. I think they're great basics to have, especially in black.

6. I want/NEED a pair of nude pumps. There are examples all over the place..but I really like these ones I found doing a quick search on Amazon.com. I am short, so I'll happily accept help making my legs look a million miles long. LOL.

Alrighty that's it for today..I hope you liked it, and now can covet these shoes along with me.. =) Have a happy day!