BLC Day 20: Sweater Knit Redux

When my kids were younger, our family spent many hours together in the Family Room watching TV, movies, eating, playing games...whatever!  Now that they're adults and out doing their own things, the room's most likely occupants are my husband and I, with napping being a frequent activity enjoyed by both of us.  Therefore, comfort is of paramount concern in this room, but also important to me is its visual appeal.

A few years ago, I saw Pinterest images of decorator sweater knit pillows and decided to try my hand at reproducing the look with thrift store sweaters, so I purchased several from my local Salvation Army a while back and made cases for the pillows located in the Family Room.

BLC Day 19: Taking a Break

This past week's travel and work schedule wore me out and I feel like I have to take break today, so I'll catch up with y'all tomorrow.

Be blessed!

Aisha

BLC Day 18: Edith Said It...

Hello Friends,

I live in the Metro Detroit area but traveled to Grand Rapids this week for work.  If you're unfamiliar with Michigan's footprint, Detroit is in the state's Southeast quadrant, and Grand Rapids is westward, practically on the other side of the state.  So, today I'm wrapping up my final work day here and have a pretty lengthy drive home ahead of me this evening - approximately 2 1/2 hours - so it will be pretty late when I get home.  In an effort to remain true to my Blog Like Crazy commitment, I thought I'd share one of my favorite fashion quotes with you.

On one of my Thrift Shop excursions a few years ago, I picked up a commemorative graduation shadow-box frame, painted it black, added a decorative paper background, adorned with an old cameo broach and hung on my Sewing Room wall.

On the paper, I printed a quote attributed to Edith Head, well-known and Oscar award winning Hollywood costume designer.  I love this quote and feel it still holds true today.  Enjoy!

Be blessed!

Aisha

BLC Day 17: Chocolate Suede

Whenever I visit a JoAnn Fabric store, I have to check out the remnant bin to see if any interesting fabric cuts have been added, which is how I found this chocolate faux suede in July 2012.  Being a remnant, it was marked 50% down from it's retail price of $26.99/yd. and I'm pretty sure it is normally found in JoAnn's decorator fabric section and therefore had a stiffer hand.  It measured 1 yard in length and 58/60-inches wide - perfect yardage for a straight skirt.  I brought it home and added to the stash.

BLC Day 16: One Canine's Nocturnal Behaviors

I've mentioned my big guy, Max, in past blog posts. I love this dog! As an American Bulldog, he possesses a large, bulky chest and upper body with slightly bowed front legs. When something has piqued his curiosity, his perked up ears and furrowed brow gives him an aggressive appearance which, partnered with his deep bark, is quite impressive and can be intimidating. To me, however, he's a great big love and my dawg!!

BLC Day 15: Symbol of Solidarity

If you spend time on various social media platforms, chances are you've noticed a new movement gaining momentum. Regardless your politics, speculation abounds regarding what the incoming presidential administration will mean for our country and its citizens.  In the wake of the election results, many have expressed their heightened levels of anxiety and fear of being targeted, while respected news outlets report more incidents of "hate crimes" and intimidation levied against members of various demographic groups.

In an effort to make a positive statement and establish solidarity with anyone in our communities who are afraid, an online movement has started where supporters visibly wear a safety pin attached to their clothing.  "As a show of support, groups of people across America are attaching safety pins to their lapels, shirts and dresses to signify that they are linked, willing to stand up for the vulnerable."  (Source - NewYorkTimes.com)

image courtesy of Instagram

BLC Day 14: Have You Met Christopher?

The internet can be a wonderful space to learn new techniques and encounter new people.  One such person is Christopher Nejman.  I recall searching for information and videos on leather handbag construction when I found this You Tube video...

I was so impressed by the beauty of these bags that I set out to learn more about their creator.

BLC Day 13: Yes I said, Yes I will, Yes

I'm sometimes skeptical of people who boisterously proclaim "I've been happily married for X years!" as if to imply they've all been happy and conflict-fee.  Anyone who has maintained a long-term relationship knows there will be disagreements and differences of opinion, but you do what you must to work them out and nurture the relationship.  If you count the dating period, my husband and I have been a couple for 37 years, married for 25 years, and most of these years have absolutely been happy.  There have been times, however, when we've encountered huge challenges, not always seen eye-to-eye, have argued and even went through periods of time where we've spoken very few words to one another.  Heck, some of that happened just last week!

BLC Day 12: Out, Damned Spot! Out, I Say!

If you read some of my past blog posts, you'll find that I'm often reevaluating the organization in my Sewing Room to improve its efficiency, which prompted me to recently reorganize my fabric stash.  As most sewing enthusiasts can attest, we often buy a length of fabric - or many lengths - with the plan to do "something" with it, and we then add it to the stash.  Additionally, we may be gifted or inherit, others - as was the case with this cotton print.

BLC Day 11: Deconstruction and Empire Inspo

It's been quite a whirlwind for the past couple of days, and I'm so glad to shift my focus back to my favorite topic - SEWING!!!  I think I mentioned a couple of times that I follow many blogs, some of which focuses on refashioning clothing, most often using thrift store finds - i.e. Refashionista, The Renegade Seamstress and Thriftanista in the City.  Each of these bloggers has her own techniques she uses to restyle an existing garment.  I tend to do a full deconstruction to see what pieces I'm working with, especially if I intend to use a traditional sewing pattern to make the final project.  This was the process I used for my leopard print skirt, and it's what I'm using for the wool and leather coat I mentioned on Sunday.