Wish List Wednesday

Carry Me: 20 Boutique Bags to Sew

Highlighting the extraordinary influence Japanese craft has imparted on the world of fiber arts, this brilliantly illustrated manual showcases the stylish sensibilities of eastern expertise in creating gorgeously sophisticated handbags. Revealing a balanced selection of cleverly constructed handbags, exclusive pull-out pattern templates, intricate details and instructions, and simple sewing techniques, sewers are shown how to create distinct and fashionable works of functional art, such as a wool tweed travel bag, a stylish denim bag with grommet and zipper details, a roomy tote with contrast lining and inside pockets, a handy laptop bag, a wool messenger bag with flower detail, and a soft luggage tote. With several concepts offering matching companion projects—such as change purses, drawstring bags, and wristlets—and accessible advice and information, this lively guide will inspire sewers of all experience levels. (Blurb courtesy of GoodReads)

Teaser Tuesdays :: Crazy Busy Beautiful : Beauty Secrets For Getting Gorgeous Fast

In my spare time, when I'm not printing, sewing, or crafting ... I'm reading!

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

Teaser ::

Forgot your body moisturizer? In a pinch, hair conditioner can eliminate dryness. (Pg 52 of Crazy Busy Beautiful )

Reviews ::

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic

Blogdorf Goodman

My GoodReads Review

Playing along? Share some teasers, whether it's from a craft book, novel, self-help book, magazine, what ever you're reading. Leave your teasers in the comment section or post a link so I can read your teasers.

Project Runway :: Season 7 Episode 14

Here's my recap, cliff notes style. If you don't want to be spoiled, don't read!!

Episode 14 : Finale : Part Two

Guest Judge : Faith Hill

Favorite Designer : Seth Aaron
Least Favorite Designer : Mila

Seth Aaron's Collection :: Inspired by the 1940's German/Russian Military.

• Impeccable work.
• Beautiful designs.
• Some a little out there.
• Luvd the yellow plaid dress.
• Judges comments : crafts clothes beautifully, many ideas, very editorial collection, exciting collection, more sophisticated than previous work.

Favorite pieces from Seth Aaron's collection :

Mila's Collection :: Inspired by shadows.

• Still a little to retro, but beautiful.
• Lots of black. Lots of geometric shapes ... not surprising.
• Dark.
• Some nice jackets. Barely any color. The only outfit that had color (that wasn't in the leggings) was my favorite. I want that sweater jacket.
• Irina (Season 6 winner) commented saying she wants Mila's collection. Of course she does. It resembles hers, very monotone, mostly all black and simple.
• Judges comments : more contemporary, great show, successful, they liked the changes in hair and make-up compared to her previous looks.

Favorite pieces from Mila's collection ...

Emilio's Collection :: Inspired by his mom and sisters (hers or his? Seemed to have forgotten).

• Lots of color. It was refreshing.
• Beautiful jackets.
• Dresses were plain and simple.
• Created his own fabric. It looked fabulous.
• Luvd the final green dress, gorgeous.
• Judges comments : blown away, gorgeous coats, most commercial of the 3 collections, quiet but sophisticated collection, heavy on the suitings, where was the drama?

Favorite pieces from Emilio's collection ...

And the winner of Project Runway Season 7 is ... drum roll please ...

SETH AARON!!

Wish List Wednesday

Need and want this ...

How to Use, Adapt, and Design Sewing Patterns

An accomplished fashion designer shows women who make their own garments how to improve on store-bought sewing patterns by adjusting the clothing item’s length and other details to reflect personal taste and create a custom fit. The book’s opening chapters present an illustrated guide to the tools, equipment, and fabrics needed for making garments, while also serving as a miniature textbook to teach basic sewing techniques. Chapters that follow offer detailed instruction in adapting and altering a store-bought pattern to suit individual tastes. Alterations include adding flare, and modifying the shapes of bodices, arm holes, neck lines, sleeves, and skirts. The book’s concluding chapters instruct on designing one’s own patterns from scratch. Author Lee Hollahan demonstrates to her readers that once they understand how to adapt a store-bought pattern, they are well on their way to custom designing their own wardrobe. More than 500 instructive illustrations. (Blurb courtesy of GoodReads)

Project Runway :: Season 7 Episode 13

Here's my recap, cliff notes style. If you don't want to be spoiled, don't read!!

Episode 13 : Finale : Part One

Favorite Designer(s) :Seth Aaron, Jay
Least Favorite Designer(s) : Mila



3 months from last episode, 4 weeks to Fashion Week, Tim visits the designers ...

Seth Aaron's :

• Lots of black and grays.
• Amazing coats.
• Impeccable tailoring, as usual.
• Tim's comment(s) : It's to much of what the judges have already seen, he needs to wow the judges and reconceptulise. Think hard and reflect.

Emilio's :

• Lots of color and texture.
• He created his own print. Wow!
• Tim's comment(s) : Refreshing. He sees a serious absence of sophistication and he sees clothes that look old.

Mila's :

• Lots of black and white, with a few spots of color.
• Lots of geometric shapes.
• Tim's comment(s) : Conservative, even going a little matronly.

Jay's :

• Lots of black.
• Beautiful color choices, nothing to bright.
• Beautiful, looks like artwork.
• Innovative.
• Tim's comment(s) : He's afraid it was getting gimmicky. Gimmicky looks like student work.

Walk-Off ... Jay Vs. Mila ...

Mila's : like the shape/fit of the outfits, but the stripes are over done. Very simple, retro.

Jay's : Fresh. Art. Beautiful shapes. Luvd it!!

Winner Of Walf-Off : Mila :(

Competition Over For : Jay :(

I am completely disappointed with the judges decision. Mila's was a little boring and she had over done the geometric shapes. Jay's was innovative and so beautiful. He created beautiful texture. I'm confused why they choose Mila over Jay. I thought Jay would have been the clear winner.

Teaser Tuesdays :: The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy

In my spare time, when I'm not printing, sewing, or crafting ... I'm reading!

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

Teaser ::

Darcy sat at the terrace table and buried his face in his hands. Their last encounter - where he was soundly shaken from his delusional belief that she might be interested in him - had left him angry and hurt. (Pg. 79 of The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy )

Reviews ::

Austenprose

In Search of Balance

My GoodReads Review

Playing along? Share some teasers, whether it's from a craft book, novel, self-help book, magazine, what ever you're reading. Leave your teasers in the comment section or post a link so I can read your teasers.

Project Runway :: Season 7 Episode 12

Here's my recap, cliff notes style. If you don't want to be spoiled, don't read!!

Episode 12 : The Big, Top Designers

Challenge : Create a high end runway look inspired by the circus.

Guest Judge : Cynthia Rowley (Fashion Designer)



Favorite Designer(s) : Emilio
Least Favorite Designer(s) : Mila

Winners : Emilio

Competition Over For : Anthony

Yeahs ::

• Jay's - little Michael Jackson but impeccable tailoring.
• Emilio's - fun and beautiful.
• Anthony's - pretty but a little to plain for this challenge.
• Seth Aaron's - very Alice in Wonderland. Amazing tailoring.

Nays ::

• Mila's - to funky Goth.

Going to fashion week : Emilio and Seth Aaron .... yeah!

Jay and Mila also get a chance. They will both create a collection for fashion week. Judges will pick who gets to show their collection at fashion week. Go Jay! I'm rooting for you.

Wish List Wednesday

The Art of Manipulating Fabric

Those who knit, crochet, or embroider have long had sources to which to turn for in-depth instructions on specific stitches and stitch combinations. Now there is such a reference for the sewer--an encyclopedic approach to gathering, shirring, ruffling, tucking, pleating, and quilting and their myriad variations. Filled with hundreds of diagrams and crisp black-and-white photos, this volume explains in detail how to achieve a tremendous range of three-dimensional fabric effects. This is not a book of particular projects; this is a book of instruction and inspiration for anyone who has ever wielded needle and thread. --Amy Handy (Blurb courtesy of GoodReads)

My First Moo Cards

Luv them!! The quality is amazing. The cards are thick and extremely sturdy. I bought the smallest pack, 50 cards. I choose to do 4 designs, if you wanted you could do 50 different designs! You can upload your own images, choose from their design gallery, or use their Text-o-matic feature (like I did above).

Moo offer business cards, mini cards, postcards and greeting cards.

Interested but not sure. Try Moo for free. Moo offers sample packs. 10 free business cards. Try it out here ... link.

Project Runway :: Season 7 Episode 11

Here's my recap, cliff notes style. If you don't want to be spoiled, don't read!!

Episode 11 : Sew Much Pressure

Challenge : Design a look for Heidi.

Guest Judge : Jessica Alba



Favorite Designer(s) : Anthony, Seth Aaron
Least Favorite Designer(s) : Jonathan

Winners : Emilio, Anthony

Competition Over For : Jonathan

Yeahs ::

• Jay's - fun.
• Anthony's - liked the flow of the fabric. Luvd the back.
• Seth Aaron's - once again, amazing detailing. Although, not the right color for Heidi.
• Emilio's - beautifully sewn. Not digging the ugly flap.

Nays ::

• Mila's - something was off. Color?
• Jonathan's - huh? The draping was bad, so was the sewing.

Sadly, Maya left the show. She had so much potential. The pressure just got to her. On the bright side Anthony was able to come back! Yeah! That was a wonderful surprise. Lots of cheering (from me) when he was announced.