I had so much fun making those little button earrings that I decided to make a ton more and list them on my Etsy Shop. Go get some! And by all means, feel free to buy other things too!
Lesson on Productivity: Priorities Change, and It’s Going to Be OK!
Posted by Cara Jean on May 8th, 2010Lately I have been occupied with thoughts of needing to re-evalute my priorities. I’ve felt less passionate about my desire to continue growing my blog into a big deal and more interested in increasing the amount of painting that I do. I’ve worried about my ability to balance what will, come December, be three kids for us, and all of my other involvements. It isn’t a worry of whether I CAN do it or not but more of whether I WANT to do it or not.
Well, I just found out on Thursday that it isn’t three kids for us in December. It is, in fact, going to be FOUR kids in December. That’s right folks, TWINS.
See that? Baby A, and Baby B. And a yolk sack. I can’t say I’m really all that surprised though. I have been feeling it for weeks. Hence all the deep, life probing thought. When I saw those two tad-pole-esque shapes on the ulrasound screen, and two hearts fluttering, I slapped the tech on the arm and shouted “I KNEW IT!” Then I laughed and wiped my face for a few minutes, did some deep breathing, and said a few swear words.
Needless to say, productivity and priority evaluation have been on my mind A LOT for the past three days. I have come to a few decisions, which I think I subconsciously made two weeks ago. As much as I want my blog to be a big deal, as much as I want to be successful in something (other than making and raising babies), now is not the time. My husband has encouraged me to keep blogging, only on a slower pace. I’ve been following an editorial calendar, trying to post twice a week, and network with other bloggers, but from now on I’m going to blog on an “if I feel like it basis”. And I feel really good about this decision.
I have cancelled my Naked Lady Party that I was going to have in June because we need to save money…for a minivan. Ugh. And I feel really good about this decision.
And I’m going to simplify my responsibilities and even outsource some of them. And I feel REALLY good about this decision.
So, readers, (I am and will always be grateful for you) today’s lesson on productivity is…When unexpected change happens, re-prioritize! If you are honest and forgiving of yourself, and open your mind to receiving spiritual guidance, you will make the right decisions. And the will feel really good.
About the babies, if you are interested:
I am 9 weeks along. Right now they have tiny T-Rex like arms with nubby fingers and their hearts are beating.
They are most likely identical although there is still a margin of error when determining that via ultrasound.
I think they are girls…and so far, I have been pretty dang right.
Basic Supplies for Refashioning Jewelry
Posted by Cara Jean on May 4th, 2010I’m not a jewelry maker, but I believe in having a few basic jewelry making supplies around the house in case you need to fix something. Here’s the basics that I have:
1. 3 in 1 pliers, I bought mine at Walmart for only about 3 dollars. They make loop bends in the end of wire, cut stuff, and smash stuff like crimp beads and jump rings.
2. A variety pack of pieces parts which can usually be found in a cheap kit. You should have these:
3. Glue and flexible wire. (Alas, I don’t have any wire to take a picture of right now).
I have used these supplies many times to make a quick pair of earring when I’m bored, or fix my favorite jewelry that breaks.
I bought this necklace at a yard sale for .50 cents and then promptly caught it in my daughters hair and popped it all over the place. All it took was some new wire and a crimp bead to make it back. The wire is stronger than the old string it was made with, which is often the case with old jewelry. I make it a habit to re-wire old necklaces BEFORE I wear them now. OH! Not pictured, but included in what I have, are basic clasps. This necklace was long enough to slip on over my head, but they aren’t all that long…so have some clasps too.
I even used some leftover beads to make earrings. Well, my sister in law did it for me. Thanks Mardy. All she needed was a head pin, a jump ring, and a fish hook. They are so versatile and have quickly become my most worn. Mr. Denizen says they look like gum. He’s right.
I bought these earrings at a thrift store for 1.50. The old parts were tarnished, broken, and a bit gaudy for my tastes.
I used a large jump ring and fish hook earring to make them look more simple and clean.
Last, I’ve always wanted to see if I could make earring from my Bag O’ Buttons. To make them I threaded some crochet yarn through the holes and tied a tiny knot in the back.
Then I glued basic stud posts to them with the jewelry glue…which as far as I can tell is the same thing as super glue. Word to the wise, make sure the glue is completely dry before you try them on. I mean, not that I know from experience or anything.
Do you like them? Do they look like they’ve been sewn onto my earlobes all creepy and “Coraline” like?
Happy Fixing!
3 Dresses in 3 Weeks: The Jumper
Posted by Cara Jean on April 30th, 2010Ah yes, the jumper. I am pretty sure they were plentiful enough in the 90’s to serve as a type of currency. You should have no problem finding a jumper, or three. Extra points to anyone who dares to refashion a denim jumper with an applique of an apple or kitten on it.
It’s hard to say what influenced me to try this jumper on…it may have been the tiny polka dot print which I am always a fan of. It was an inspired choice nonetheless, because this jumper fit like a glove…it just needed a few changes.
I don’t wear sleeveless things and the length was not harmonious with my cankles. This refashion isn’t complicated enough to warrant a whole tutorial, so I’ll just tell you what I did:
1. Cut the extra length off the bottom.
2. Used the extra fabric to make sleeves.
3. Removed the facing from the sleeve holes and attached the new sleeves.
Tada! I don’t think anything goes better with navy blue polka dots than red. Or possibly yellow. It’s a pretty simple dress but a quick and easy solution to the jumper plague that infects many thrift stores and some of our closets…you know who you are.
Phoenix is Cracking Good!
Posted by Cara Jean on April 29th, 2010
Phoenix in the springtime looks nothing like this poster, but I must have it. I have no idea why a born and raised Kentucky girl like myself loves Phoenix so much (probably because we only visit in the spring), but I do. This was our third visit in 4 years.
One of the reasons why I find blogging exciting is the opportunities it sometimes provides to meet new people from various places and be part of exciting things. When I knew I was going to Phoenix I decided to see if I could meet with a Phoenician blogger and have them show me around a few thrift stores. This is how I ended up spending a short afternoon with Carrie Wheeler of Cracking Good. Her site is informative and fun to read with a lot about Phoenix, some fashion, and a little bit of gardening. All favorites. It was nice to leave the kids with Mr. Denizen for a couple hours and pretend I wasn’t in fact on a family vacation and hadn’t spend the first three days in a car parceling out snacks, then in a pool parceling out sunscreen, and in a hotel room parceling out threats if they didn’t go to sleep.
We met at a little cafe called Two Hippies Breakfast Joint where I enjoyed the biggest chili dog I think I’ve ever had. Then we walked to three different vintage shops, all which I think pretty much blew the socks off of the vintage shops that I have around here. I wish o’ wish that I had more time and money to spend at all of these stores.
Check these out, all within walking distance:
Hollywood Regency Vintage, inside Zinnias (a flea market of sorts that was also awesome)
724 West Indian School Road
702 West Montecito
4303 N 7th Avenue
I tried to visit my favorite Thrift Shop on Monday shortly before we left Phoenix and they were not open. Sad. My thrifting adventures this time in Phoenix ended with only a pair of clip on earrings, but, having met Carrie and discovered a whole street of vintage goodness…I really think we need to return to Phoenix sooner than later.
A couple other noteworthy places that are not thrift related…Makutu’s Island was an indoor playground big enough for adults to play in with their children…although my daughter gave up on us after a while because we were too slow, AND I absolutely loved the Great Arizona Puppet Theater (it required no physical activity). Coincidentally, we timed our visit right along the celebration of the National Day of Puppetry. We saw two puppet shows, won a door prize, and bought my daughter a toy marionette lion which she promptly tangled.
3 Dresses in 3 Weeks: MuuMuu Turned Dress
Posted by Cara Jean on April 21st, 2010Muu Muu, nightgown, housedress, Pj’s, it matters not what you call them. What does matter is that for some reason I have always been attracted to them and want to wear them as dresses. Between the delicate lacy details and the breezy lightweight material, I feel like nightgowns make perfect sun dresses…and I aimed to prove that you could refashion them into socially acceptable (meaning, doesn’t look like you are wearing PJ’s) dresses. Well, the first attempt was a big failure, although I still asked several people their opinions before I was convinced to give it up. And being the stubborn and slightly crazy creator that I am, I only gave up on that particular dress…I had two more to try again on! You can’t keep me down.
Embarrassingly, I will show you the first attempt. Don’t make fun of my faces.
What not to do:
Strike 1. The fabric was way too thin and flimsy
Strike 2. The print was washed out and drab.
Strike 3. The sleeves were too big, even after reshaping them, and the dress was still too full.
I even had a Strike 4. I love a frilly neckline with buttons and lace, but paired with the other strikes, it was just too much.
All these things together gave it the “I just escaped from the Happy Valley Assisted Living Home” look. When choosing your nightgown pretty much do the opposite of all those things.
But like I said, I had a stash of them waiting in the closet…good thing they are only three dollars each!
What to do:
1. Remove the sleeves, unless you are satisfied with the way they fit already.
2. Wearing it wrong side out, pin the armhole shut to make it smaller. This will also give you a place to start to take out the extra width in the sides. Follow the natural curve of your rib cage, tapering in slightly at about your bra and ease the line all the way down to the hem. You can get a rough pin while you are wearing it and once you take it off, a yardstick really helps to keep your line straight. Add more pins or use a fabric pencil to mark where you will sew.
3. Do the same to both sides. Try it on and inspect your work before cutting off any extra material.
4. You are going to need to take out the extra fabric in the front by adding darts. If you don’t know what a dart is…ask your grandma. Pin from the tip of your bust (nipple, there, I said it), taper in the most at the empire waist, and then ease back out to about your belly button.
5. Do the same in the back. Start above your shoulder blades, taper in at the small of your back, and ease out at the largest part of your hips (the tip of your butt). This will add shape to the back.
ONE THING to remember when putting in your darts; you still have to be able to pull this dress on over your head…so as tempting as it is, don’t make them too fitted.
6. Reshape the sleeve should you so desire. I use a pattern piece from a different dress pattern to give the sleeve a better (less Muu Muu-ish shape). Sew the sleeve back in.
7. Hem the bottom to a more flattering length.
I used the extra material from the hem to make a little bow embellishment for the neckline. I’m sure there are all sorts of things you could do!
I think the second try is a WIN. It’s lightweight and perfect for my trip to Phoenix! I also really enjoy the somewhat Retro feel it has to it. So, you tell me, does it still look like a nightgown?
3 Dresses in 3 Weeks: Dress One, Suspenders
Posted by Cara Jean on April 16th, 2010
I love wearing dresses in the summer time. I wear them more than pants or shorts. To celebrate the warm weather I’ll be refashioning three dresses over the next three weeks.
I also love suspenders. This is not my original idea, although I wish I could claim it. I found it last fall over at Thrift Candy and decided I wanted to make my own version. It’s was pretty dang easy.
What to have:
A dress with thin/no straps
A pair of suspenders, I prefer the button hole kind
Buttons (Have you bought your Bag O’ Buttons like I told you to?)
What to do:
1. Cut off or pick out the old straps.
2. Working on the front first, sew the buttons in place.
3. After the front is attached, decide where you want that back straps to attach on the dress, and how long you need the straps to be. You may want to use the old straps to measure, but I wanted mine to fit a little different so I didn’t use them.
4. You will probably have to resize and reconstruct your suspenders. If your pair looks like this:
you will have to resize them at the junction. If including the junction makes them too long, you won’t be able to use your button hole and will have to sew the straps straight to the dress. If your pair looks like this:
you will cut the junction off completely, pick off the button hole tips and sew them back on at the desired length.
5. Sew the buttons on to the back and attach your newly sized suspenders. Hooray!
I am very excited to wear mine.
Almost as excited as Clover who was thrilled to be getting my attention.
Seriously, is she smiling? She loves, no adores, no WORSHIPS me in an almost creepy sort of way. But I guess I like it. And speaking of creepy adoration, this is what happens when I ask Mr. Denizen to help me take pictures for a post:
There are SEVERAL more in this set, as well as some in our home videos. Christmas. Kid’s birthday parties. He is quite proud of them. And himself.
site
designed by