Sometimes things turn out not quite the way you expected

By the way, this is my new dress that almost turned into a train wreck. It worked out though, after a bit of stress that Jourdan can attest to...

and a failed dye job that actually turned out to be pretty cool. So I kept it that way, even though I slightly remind myself of a high school senior photo backdrop...

I didn't think I was a stripe kind of girl

But everyone can find their match. And this color combo was just yelling "wear me Lydia!" from the hanger, so being the kind person that I am I obliged.

Also, I FINALLY finished these pants. You wouldn't believe how long I had this fabric... then the time it took me to finally cut the fabric. A month later, I started sewing, but didn't have the proper thread. Then, it turned out the pattern was ridiculously over-sized and they looked like clown pants, so I had to rip apart almost all the seams and redo the entire waist/belt section... at which point I sewed them too tight and had to rip apart the side seams and re-position the pockets, and by that point I just gave up for a while. But this time... perfect!

(insert adjective here) Wednesdays

So I think I want to start a "thing," you know, something sort of predictable. We'll see how long that lasts, but in the meantime here is the first installment of "(insert adjective here) Wednesdays". I can't think of anything witty right now (any ideas are welcome - no, Wordless Wednedays doesn't work cause I'm not good at not using words. Also, I realize it's not quite Wednesday yet, but it's pretty close so that counts. Hey, maybe it'll become Saturdays or something, whatever). 

I plan on it being about anything I want to link to or post pictures of, as long as I don't have to come up with a major part of the content myself. Sometimes I'll share what I've been reading about, or just pictures I've been drooling over. I am feeling inspired, thanks to Pinterest (I'll invite you, just give me your email!) so here goes:

I'm thinking of combining this:

via pinterest

With this awesome idea:

via Pinterest

(Ohmygosh the dress is incredible!!! swoon. Aaaaand I realize I just sounded like a 12-year-old.)

To make the perfect duvet cover. I still haven't found the one (that's anywhere in my price range at least), so I'm thinking I'll just make it myself. Some color of linen (navy? taupe? who knows) with a big section covered in doilies (they don't all need to be perfectly white either, a mix of off-white, white and natural could work nicely) and maybe cut off the section with some of the ruffled detail from the top picture. 

In completely unrelated news, anybody have some doilies hanging around they'd like to donate for a good cause?

Also, I've had autumn on my mind lately (don't judge, I have a history of anticipating seasons way too far in advance. Quick segue: there is a diary entry from when I was 13 in which I pumped myself up for my first day back to school and I may or may not have written: "look out world, here comes the new Lydia")

Anyway... I'm thinking this is a nice back to school outfit. Or maybe that girl just has such an adorable smile that I'm instantly sold just because.

via Pinterest

That's it for today

Flea market

I'm so glad I found this. (Yes, I know, it's pathetic that I had to find this on an American's blog, but keep in mind Paris is not my hometown!)

And also... be jealous: the marché saint pierre, which sells lots and lots of crazy cool fabric. I'm thinking a certain Brian Youngblut might be very jealous... :)

Anyway, that's what I have planned for soonish.

In the meantime, I have an interview after tomorrow with a really cool person for the MWP: she's originally from Lebanon but is now living in France and she's an artist. She's actually done some work for an LDS temple and other cool stuff like that, so I'm excited to hear about her life and her work.

Also, tonight is the Fête de la musique and I'm so excited!!

Yellow!

Well we've officially signed for our new apartment, and I'm very excited to move in there at the end of April (right before we leave for France)! And of course the whole thing has got me thinking about how I want to decorate.

I think I've finally found the perfect duvet cover, and it involves this awesomeness:

Unfortunately Andrew is less than passionate about it... boo. We shall see. The fabric is from this fantastic store and the idea that got me started was here.

Wishful thinking

I feel like a new woman right now.

All my midterms and papers are handed in. Dancesport is coming up and the dancing is feeling good, despite the fact that we only started practicing last week. (It helps that Andrew spends a ton of time practicing already, I just have to jump in and follow him... although I could definitely use some more work.)

And most importantly, spring seems to be creeping up on us. Which means that

1) Soon I won't have to lug around my enormous coat that leaves feathers all over my clothes, especially the dark ones (although I am very glad for the warmth it provided all the freezing winter long)

2) General Conference is next month.

3) Easter is next month. Easter may almost top Christmas on my favorite holidays list. (Unfortunately, due to my current dietary goals it will not be as calorie-filled as past years. I don't know if I dare make an exception quite yet.)

4) Soon I won't have to wear a million layers anymore. And I can wear summer pants, and skirts, and short-sleeved t-shirts, and make lots more clothes.

5) We'll be in France in two months!

Of course the minute I post this it's going to start snowing again or something, but the weather can't get to me now--bring it on. I'm going to France.

And maybe I'll take my sewing machine, because I want to make these:

Also, I'm thinking of some good khakis.

Creativity... or lack thereof

I haven't touched the sewing machine since... Christmas break. And even then, it was to fix Andrew's shirts (that look fantastic by the way). I have simply got no inspiration right now. But do you want to know why I really don't sew anymore?

School.

It sucks the life right out of you. Seriously, it does. Sometimes I feel like I'm growing and sometimes, it just feels like a long, long to-do list that has serious consequences when you ignore it. (All things considered, it's probably a good thing I'm not sewing because then I wouldn't have time for school).

I'd call it senioritis, but I've had it since kindergarten.

I like certain things about school. I thoroughly enjoy learning, I love to read (interesting things), and I feel very motivated when I'm given a chance to push myself and achieve things I've never done before.

However, the moments where I'm actually learning and being pushed seem few and far between. School tends to just plain bore me, and it's getting to a point where, outside of my broadcast classes, I feel like my time would be better put to use job-shadowing, interning, and generally getting myself out of Provo and into the job. Unfortunately, I still have two semesters left and a slightly mind-numbing job.

But in the end, I really can't complain, because I am getting an excellent education in a program that is reputed for students that come out of the program with real experience and skills that they already know how to apply. And I have a job that pays the bills, and my colleagues really are the best. Sigh.

But it's so BOOOOOOOOOORING sometimes!



Disclaimer: this post may or may not be prompted by the fact that I am procrastinating doing pointless homework... although I suppose it doesn't count as pointless since it's worth quite a few of those.

Tree skirt I definitely plan on copying

Another awesome idea from blog land!

Ruffle top

Pretty sure nobody needs a tutorial for this, but I'm doing it anyway. Na! (In French, this is what kids say when they are being contradictory, sort of like "so there" or thumbing your chin at someone).

So I just took an old tank that I never wear anymore and cut up another old white shirt into strips, about three inches wide, maybe less (still having trouble with non-metric system...)

and ruffle them (see here for how-to). Just sew a 1/4 inch from the edge. If your strips are about 1 1/2 times as long as your shirt is wide, you're good. Make sure to leave plenty of string on both ends of the strips to adjust the ruffles if the strips are now too short/long.

Don't forget to put your machine's tension back to normal after making all your ruffles!
Now tack on and start sewing from the bottom up.

Your top ruffle will probably need to be smaller depending on the neckline, etc.

There you go! I like it best with a cardigan to give it some structure.

Linking over here:

Tall and not big?

Why is it we can't find a single shirt that has long enough sleeves and that isn't a tent? We just went to do some pre-Christmas shopping for Andrew (yes, I'm afraid I'm one of those boring wives that gets their husband clothes.. it's that or video games) and shirts his size simply don't exist!

I just don't understand it. I know plenty of guys that are tall and thin. So why do stores simply not make clothes for them? Are they trying to encourage people to get fat so they'll fit? We asked the sales lady about it and she said we could special order, but if we got them long enough we'd have to go up a neck size...come on people!

My husband is not a freak of nature. And I know he is not the only guy out there in this situation. At least he has a wife that can fix his shirts up somewhat...

Little bonnet

I made this for a friend who's having a little girl soon-- I can't wait for her to send me a picture of her wearing it!

Linking here:

Hello there

I'm beginning to think it's silly for a girl to have two blogs... :)

So I'm combining this one, in which I've been posting only about crafts, sewing and other creative endeavors, with my original one. If you're still around and reading this, I'd love it if you'd follow me over there! (hint hint)

Thanks for reading, I love getting your comments.

Thank you Pottery Barn

For giving me this fantastic idea :)

I really hope I am pregnant on halloween one year...

So that I can make this...

 

How adorable is that?!

Apron

I really want to make this apron...

 
Check it out over here!

A little bit of lace can go a long way.

I saw these in Banana Republic the other day and loved the little touch of lace...

So why not add some to a nice comfy shirt?

Just a hint around the neckline...

Two strips down the front...

And there it is.

Oh well

I didn't make the top 15... oh well, next year maybe. There are a few that I really like, and then a few... that I think are atrocious, but that's just me. I would say that though.

Gymnast shirt

I call this my gymnast shirt because it reminds me of the leotards that gymnasts wear. It always seems like they have some sort of diagonal stripes. Since my mom and sisters used to be gymnasts, why not follow the trend? :)

This shirt used to have a crew neck (meh) so I did this neckline and then added some strips taken from the extra length (Downeast makes some looong shirts) to the front. My friend Jourdan gets the credit for that idea. I just sewed two lines about 1/8 inch from the edges, and the fabric naturally curls up.

Done.

Dress contest

Hello there :)

I just entered the Shabby Apple Dare to Design contest-- I'd love it if you'd go check it out!

Shabby Apple Contest!

Here it is,

my dress design for Shabby Apple dresses :

I wanted something light, simple and elegant, and I think lace certainly embodies that. The lace has more of a crochet-ish feel, which makes it less frilly, and the design is simple but classic.

The edge details give it just the right amount of femininity. Wearing it with a light cardigan also makes it a good business look. It would also be great with a contrasting sash in coral or brown.

I like it in this creamy white color, but black or a nice peach would work nicely.

So wish me luck friends :)

http://www.shabbyapple.com/t-daretodesign.aspx