BLC Day 30: Yes! I Blogged Every Day This Month!

I am an admittedly negligent blogger, having gone significant periods of time between publishing new posts.  I've mentioned multiple times my desire to work towards a more consistent publishing schedule, and recognize doing so would require more discipline on my part.  So, when Faye Lewis shared she was participating in the Blog Like Crazy challenge again this year, I thought I'd take it on as well and commit to publishing a new post every day in November.

Oh, what a relief it is!!

I'm so glad to say I've met the challenge but don't mind telling you that it was sometimes a challenge doing so...like on Day 19 when I was just exhausted from my work and travel schedules.  And yes, some posts were simply observations, but the commitment was to simply publish something new each day.

There's an established theory out there which states that a behavior has to be repeated for 21 consecutive days for it to become habit, while recent research conducted at the University College London indicates the habit-forming time threshold is actually 66 days.  Regardless which theory is correct, I hope to maintain a more consistent writing schedule after having met this challenge.  No, I won't say it will be daily; in fact, publishing a daily post really isn't my goal, but it will certainly be more often than every few months - or even years!

Thank you so much for coming here and checking out what I'm doing, my observations, and even my therapeutic venting on current events.  But most importantly, thank you for sharing your comments and words of encouragement.  You truly have no idea how much they've meant to me!

Be blessed!

Aisha

BLC Day 29: ABQ Bad Quest

I love TV and one of my all-time favorite programs is Breaking Bad.  I was late coming into this TV drama but kept hearing buzz about it as it led into its second season.  Just before airing, AMC ran the first season episodes which allowed me to catch up...and I was hooked!

In case you're unfamiliar with the story line, it's about Walter White, a brilliant and award-winning scientist who settles for teaching chemistry at his local high school and supplementing his income working as a part-time cashier at a car wash.  After receiving a diagnosis of inoperable lunch cancer, he enlists Jesse Pinkman, a former student, and begins making crystal methamphetamine so his family will be financially secure after he dies.  The series was filmed in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico, so when I was asked to travel there earlier this year to facilitate training to a group of new hire employees, I had to take the opportunity to conduct a Breaking Bad Sight Seeing Tour a la Aisha.  (FYI...there are real BB tours conducted in ABQ and they're pretty pricey...IJS!)  Note - this post contains lots of images taken by me and letterboxed images from various BB episodes to serve as points of comparison.

My first stop was the Crossroads Motel - or as Hank called it, The Crystal Palace - which is where we first meet Wendy, a meth-addicted prostitute who assists Jesse on multiple occasions.  It's located on Central Ave SE at the I-25 overpass and judging from its area, it didn't seem nearly as seedy as it did on TV.  In fact, the Presbyterian Hospital is located directly across the street and the Hotel Parq Central, a 4-star hotel, is diagonally across, which you can see just behind the I-25 overpass in the image below.

BLC Day 28: Making of a Body Double

In film making terms, a body double is defined as a person who substitutes in a scene for another actor where the person's face is not shown.  In dressmaking terms, a body double is a dress form dummy with measurements and dimensional contours which mirror its owner for the purpose of constructing and fitting hand-sewn garments.  I've wanted a dress form model that was close to my own measurements and dimensions for a long time but the retail price tags always seemed prohibitive.

BLC Day 27: Sweater Knit Throw

I recently shared with you details on the pillow cases I made from thrift store sweaters for my Family Room, and mentioned that I wanted to make patchwork throws to accompany the cases.  A while ago, while viewing images on Pinterest, I found this one of the patch-work sweater knit blanket Michelle made and posted on her blog, Yellow Suitcase Studio.  This served as my inspiration.

BLC Day 26: Singer Library - Still the Absolute Best!

I remember working for So-Fro Fabrics in my late teens/early twenties and the company's heavy focus on catering to "crafty" consumers by providing tools and supplies for many different types of crafts.  This emphasis increased after being purchased by JoAnn Fabric & Crafts, which I quite frankly found to be a turn-off because I never considered myself a "crafty" person.  I loved fabric and sewing and for some odd reason, I didn't categorize sewing as being a craft.  Yes, it's about making things with your hands, but the term craft always reminded me of making things from sticks and twigs or the whole Trash to Treasure phenomenon; a rather odd thought process, I know, especially when considering the formal definitions of craft and crafty.

BLC Day 25: Fabric Water Repelling Challenge

About 3 years ago, I created a profile on Polyvore.com, another social media site which focuses on fashion, beauty and home decor.  It allows users to view products that are available for purchase - primarily online - and create collages to see how different items look together.  For me, it had the feel of playing with virtual paper dolls.  I created one fashion collage which included this yellow trench coat.

BLC Day 24: Happy Thanksgiving!

However you choose to celebrate, I wish you and your family peace and love as our country sets aside this fourth Thursday in November to acknowledge and give thanks for our many blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving, and continue to be blessed!

Aisha

BLC Day 23: True Blue Original

If you've ever had to hem a pair of denim jeans, you know how difficult it can be to get over that "hump" at the seam line due to the multiple layers of fabric.  Including those involved in flat-felling the side seams, there could easily be 12 layers of denim your machine needle has to get through - and not always successfully.  One work-around technique I've used is to overcast the hem's cut edge then simply fold under the hem once and stitch in place.  While this process does accomplish the task, you do lose the original jean hem and its stitching.  Plus, the hem top tends to fold down which I have found annoying.  However, I recently saw Nancy Zieman demonstrate a faster technique which looked super-easy and maintained the jean's original hem, so I thought I would give it a try.

BLC Day 22: Stash Inventory

Hey everyone!  It's the beginning of a busy holiday week, so I thought I'd share a quick tip on how I inventory my fabric stash. I recently shared with you that I reorganized how my fabric is stored, affording the benefit of using all the shelf space in my Sewing Room closet.

BLC Day 21: Autumn Sweater Repair

Do you have that one garment in your closet which is your all-time favorite?  For me, it's my Autumn themed sweater which I bought it a Kohl's department store about 10 or 12 years ago.  I remember it was Spring and I was there undoubtedly purchasing something for my daughter - probably for Easter - when I spotted it hanging on a clothing rack marked 90% off.  Being a Michiganian, I appreciate and love being able to experience all 4 seasons, with Autumn being my favorite.  So, when I spotted this sweater priced at $3.90, I thought it was the score of the decade.  Imagine, then, my distress when I discovered a hole on its left elbow.

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.