Gloomy Days

     It's rather funny, really. I have spent the entire winter in gloom, and feeling unproductive. But when there is a gloomy day after a few weeks of sunshine and warmer temperatures, my crafty side comes out full force. You may remember that I have plans for starting an Etsy shop this summer (which already exists, though I haven't listed anything as of yet). My plan is to grade my vintage patterns and have a variety of sizes available, so that no one will be left out. I have most of my vintage patterns at school with me, and I am simply dying to get going on them. The issue is that what I ought to be doing is writing a paper and preparing a presentation; but gloomy days are so lovely for sewing!

     Perhaps I will work for a little while, I've been at school all year, and done very little in the way of sewing. This will be my first adventure in pattern grading, and I'm so excited for the results!

Here is a little sneak peek at what will hopefully be available this summer! I hope that you will be interested. 

Lots of love to you!

Stage Makeup

     Can I just say, ick! Stage makeup is nasty. At this moment I am applying my regular, lovely, water based makeup in the morning, washing my face at 4:30, having heavy, oily stage makeup applied, and then washing again before bed. Needless to say, my face isn't too happy. I don't regularly put lotion on my face, since it is fairly oily. After one and a half days of the before mentioned ritual, I had dry, dry skin, and it was starting to break out. I could feel zits coming in all over my cheeks. The next day, my face was so dry that I put half a pump of ultra moisturizing equate lotion (which says to compare to Jergens) and put it all over my face. It was a beautiful moment. I know that using regular lotion isn't a good idea, but my face is dry enough to call for it right now; and the zits went away before they finished coming in, so I say it was a success. 

     I read somewhere that essential oils are great for use on your face, so I tried to find some lavender oil. Sadly, Walmart does not carry it any more. I bought tea tree oil instead, but it is more drying than moisturizing; so I also bought some more Jergens knock off lotion, which I was nearly out of. It said very clearly, 'classic scent', and I grabbed it.

     The next night I ran out of my old lotion, and grabbed the new bottle. It had been a long day, and I had gotten overheated in my bath, so I was already feeling queazy, when I suddenly started smelling the worst perfume I have ever experienced, only to realize that it was my lotion. I looked at the label again. It still said 'classic scent', but about three lines down it also said, 'infused with cherry and almond fragrance'. The liar. Now, this was no cherry blossom smell. This was more like artificial cherry candy. I nearly gagged. 

     The next evening, when I was again wanting to hydrate my skin, I decided to give the cherry lotion a second chance, seeing as I had already been feeling bad the night before. I, in all my cleverness, applied it to my freshly shaved underarms first, which I have been applying lotion to in an attempt to even out the skin. And there I was, alone in the bathroom, grabbing toilet paper to try and wipe off the cherry lotion while I tried not to scream too loud. I felt like the kid on 'Home Alone' when he puts the aftershave on. And now I don't have lotion. At least the next show isn't till Thursday. 

     Oh, and one thing more; when chasing someone on stage, avoid doorknobs at all costs. 

Lots of love to you!

Happy Spring! (Albeit a few days late)

     Well, it's that time of year again. The flowers are popping out of the ground, the sun is coming out, and the coats are being banished to the closets. 

     I meant to write this post on the first day of Spring, but I didn't have the time. Oliver Twist is in full swing now, with our first performance being this Thursday. It would be an understatement to say it's been hectic, but I've loved every moment of it! Some of these pictures are from the twentieth though, so feel the first day of Spring seeping through when you look at them :)

     Because I was hurrying to finish up my projects for the show (if you recall, I did some of the sewing to help our lovely seamstress, Debbie), I didn't get any pictures during construction. I will hopefully be able to get some pictures this evening to share with you. 

     I did get this picture of my apron though (my character is Miss Rose's maid, Nelly). I finished it Saturday after starting it the evening before. I would have finished Friday, but I began to feel sick. So, it was a very quick project.

     I didn't use a pattern; aprons are so simple that it really isn't necessary. It's construction is purely rectangles. The fabric I had was a nice, medium weight white fabric with a good texture (which thrills me no end!). It was remnants, so I didn't have the full width of it. It was probably leftovers from a cut up sheet or tablecloth, since some of the edges were hemmed and there were tags still on it. I used the hems to my advantage. 

    The length of the remnant was perfect for the skirt, so I tore it about twice as wide as I wanted the end result, and then gathered it to 21.5". The bottom edge was already hemmed, so I just did a quick roll hem on the sides. Next I tore a rectangle the length of the fabric and a little more than twice the width I wanted the waistband to be (I eyeballed most of this). I then found the center of the skirt and the waistband and matched them up, so that the ties would be even on both sides. I sewed them right sides together, then turned the waistband, folding under the long edge, and put it on the other side of the skirt, so that it completely encased the raw edge of the skirt (at the top). Then I topstitched through all five layers (waistband and fold for seam, skirt, waistband and fold for seam). 

     For the ties, I ironed under the seam allowance (already there because of sewing it to the skirt) and also ironed under the ends. Then I top stitched along these folds. If I had been wanting this done really well (and period accurate) I would have slipstitched all of these seams, instead of topstitching; but for this performance, it isn't very important. 

     I then tore a rectangle for the bib. I did it longer than necessary, so that I could adjust it later, and I cut it wide so that the lace on my dress could be displayed. I did a roll hem (the best kind in my opinion, especially for this kind of project) on all but the top edge (which was still too long). I layed it right side to wrong side on the waistband and sewed it in place; I basically placed it on the skirt so that it looked like I wanted it to in the end and topstitched (again).

     All that was left at this point was to shorten and finish the top of the bib and add straps. I tried it on and decided where I wanted the bib to end, and I cut and hemmed it (roll hem). I wanted the straps to attach to the ties, rather than tie behind my neck. I tore them like the waistband, only narrower. I sewed them into tubes, only leaving one end open, so that I could turn them right side out. Before turning them I diagonally clipped the edges, right up to the seam. This ensures a crisp edge. Then I turned them; which can be a nasty job, and I topstitched all the way around. I didn't bother closing the open end though, becuase I still had to measure how long they needed to be. I sewed them in the back; this is important, you can't measure it yourself if the free end goes to the back. Sewing it into the back first means you can measure them in front. I sewed them like I did the bib, to the top of the waistband/ties. I put them just where the skirt ended. Then I was able to draw up the straps to the front, and make them the proper tightness. And voila, I have an apron! 

     I finally made it to the store, hello beautiful produce! And can I just say that smoked Gouda is heavenly?

     I found this sweatshirt at Wet Seal, and I couldn't resist. Cruella is my favorite Disney Villain, and there she was on a sweatshirt hanging on the ceiling. I was hooked. And it was a wonderful surprise when she was $15 instead of $25. I am not wearing a stitch of home sewn or vintage clothing, but I don't even care. The white skirt is my celebration of Spring and the freedom to wear white again. I got this skirt just after Labor Day, and it has been taunting me in my closet all this time. 

     Just one more thing. When I was sixteen, I dyed my hair black, and maintained it for over a year. My family vacationed in Italy, and it was the first time I was able to look in the mirror and think I was pretty (I had a dreadfully awkward puberty). So, I just dyed my hair black again. I think that it will forever be connected with feeling pretty in my mind. It's good to be able to go back to such a turning point in my life. 

Lots of love!

A Mirror World

     Have you ever noticed that the world you see in the mirror looks more appealing? Maybe it's just me, but when I was little I would lay on the ground and stare at the reflection of the room in the ceiling fan. It sparked my imagination, and I loved to make it come to life. I would imagine all sorts of things, and wish I could go through to the other side. When I read "Into the Looking Glass", I felt like they had it wrong. Things in the mirror are not skewed and wrong, they are beautiful. Seeing things in a mirror makes you take a new perspective and see with fresh eyes.
     I really want this blog to be a fun place for people to visit. I know that there are blogs out there that are too standoffish, and don't feel personal, or blogs that get a little too personal, and both of these are bad things. I think I may be erring on the side of standoffish. I want this to be an interesting blog that has some depth to it. I want it to be about beauty, life, love, and everything that is good in my life. Not that my life is perfect, but I like to look at the good side of things. Whenever I catch myself starting to get overwhelmed or depressed, I remember to look at the big picture; it is good to put things in perspective.

     Spring Breakg was this last week for my school. My sister and I, with a friend of ours, were able to go home. There is nothing like being home for a week, without homework or responsibility. Of course, home is not always like this, but a small break like this is an excuse for laziness. 

     There is nothing like good, homecooked food. This meal was so pretty that I had to take pictures of it. My Mom made salmon (which my Dad kindly de-skinned for her), a quick bread, and I made the spinach salad. Afterwards we ate lovely little lime cheesecakes which Rachael made. I forgot to take a picture, we just started eating them!

     I'm back at school now, but I can still remember my beautiful home, and appreciate my second home as well; and I can still let the beauty of God's creation seep into my soul, just like I did with the reflection in the ceiling fan. The second half of this semester is going to be even better than the first.

Lots of love to all of you! 

Love is in the Air

Sorry about my weird, skill-lacking, selfie-ish photography. I don't have a very good camera, and I am not a good photographer. Perhaps someday this will change. Also, sorry about all of the serious faces, I am concentrating on not shaking the camera. I mostly just want to show you some of my world. 

     Valentine's Day is such a sweet holiday. Even if you don't have a sweetheart, it is still lovely to see all of the adorable couples who are so happy to be together, and I find that I can't be envious of their joy. Plus, there is almost always chocolate.

      Last night I decided to wear pinks and reds in honor of this day, and this morning I completely forgot (I was running late to chapel). Instead I am wearing blue; the sheer number of people wearing red today makes me glad that I 'decided' to be different (though I did wear my red trench coat). It is blustery outside, which means absolutely butchered hair (not that I do much to mine, but I consider bangs standing straight up as butchered). It doesn't bother me personally, but I feel bad for the girls going on dates tonight for whom nice hair has become a hopeless case. I suppose that hats and scarves would be useful...

      I am in love with my new tights, they are so fun and practical. This color goes with most of my wardrobe, and I feel like they are dark enough to not stand out too crazily.

      This blouse hasn't shown up yet (indeed, I've only worn it once). It was the only item that I managed to finish over Christmas break. I was really pleased with how nice the construction is (it is from a vintage pattern). The print was a little bit louder than I expected once it became a blouse. However, I still like it. It is not a flower print, as it may look. It is a Blue Willow China print, which has always charmed me. My mom has a small collection of this type of China, and I think it is absolutely lovely. Anyway, that is why I bought the fabric. The construction was very simple; the sleeves were cut in one with the blouse and then a cuff was added. Also, it is fitted below the waist line. I love details like this in vintage patterns. Whereas most modern blousy patterns/blouses would make the entire blouse full, this vintage pattern is made specifically for wearing tucked into a skirt or pants. The practicality is simply marvelous.

     These shoes haven't shown up either (that I can think of, at least they haven't been spotlighted) and they are some of my favorites! They are so very practical for cold days, walking across campus, rehearsing (in fact, I will be wearing these for my part as Nelly in the school play, "Oliver Twist", this semester), etc. All that I really need to do is water proof them and get some nice, cushy inserts for them. I found them last Spring semester at Plato's Closet after looking for shoes similar to this for months. They are a size too big, but it really doesn't matter in this style at all.


      I am thrilled to announce that I will be able to show you some sewing projects soon. I volunteered to help sew for the play, and I was just given my projects today. I will be making several silky red petticoats, and 10 orphan tunics, as well as an apron, and possibly some other projects. As you all know, I have been complaining non-stop about my lack of sewing machine, but that ends now! I don't want to be all negative and complainy, anywhere, but especially here! I am absolutely giddy about getting my paws on some proper sewing materials, it kills me to be so un-creative (in a non-negative way...)
Lots of love!

My Vintage PenalJo Spectator Heels

     Well, to begin with here are a couple of pictures that show my bangs off better.

     I promised I would show you my exciting thrift store find, and here they are! These shoes just make my heart flutter. I am having issues dating them, because I do not have much experience with shoes. They are labeled 9N, which, from what I can find, would place them in the 70s since earlier shoes would have been labeled with an A-D system instead. However, I think that they could easily have come from earlier. I know that they were made in Taiwan and they are real leather with a man-made balance; and that is the extent of my knowledge. If anyone has any further information, I would love to hear! Again, I haven't researched shoes nearly as much as other garments.

      Even though I usually like to stay before about 1965 or so, I think that these shoes are absolutely timeless. Based on appearances only, I thought they might have been from as early as the 30s. This is not the case, unfortunately; but I am not turning my nose up at them just because they are from the 70s! Every time that I wear these shoes I get a big grin on my face. They are just so perfect in every way; my only problem now is to keep them intact and not stress too much about actually wearing them! Oh, and did I mention that they were only $4? I will love these shoes forever.

     Now I just need to find some saddle shoes and some proper black flats to keep my shoe closet sensible! My present life as a student has been rather hard to come to terms with, since so many things require me to be sensible, especially as a theatre major. It is hard for me to wear these shoes very often, since the first time that I wore them the company label completely came off (along with most of the interior lining, which was leather); it all flaked off and got stuck to my socks. However, the inside was already flaking when I bought them. I almost didn't buy them because of this, not realizing they were vintage till I got them home; observant, right? Anyway, the outside is in absolutely flawless condition, so I shouldn't worry too much.
     I have been spending a lot of time drooling over pretty vintage frocks on Pinterest lately, and I think that I am going to go stir crazy without the ability to make anything new. I was definitely on a slightly lethargic, I-just-don't-care streak for a while there, since I am so busy. I guess, I have been remembering why I fell in love with the 50s to begin with, and I am dying to fatten up my wardrobe some. The sad thing is that about 800 miles away I have tons of fabric, patterns, and a sewing machine just waiting to be made into pretty things. My closet is nothing short of irritating to me right now. I have one skirt that I feel I can really wear (I overdo it on summer sewing, cotton is just so wonderful!) and not many dresses. I have been wearing jeans way more than I would like. This wouldn't bother me so much if they were at least vintage style. Fortunately the Spring semester always goes super fast!
Lots of love to all of you!

Howdy Do, and a New 'Do!

     Well, I promise I haven't abandoned you again! I am fighting a cold, and therefore spent the time I would have used on Wednesday to write a post sleeping. Dreadful, I know; only not really. I am feeling much better now though!

     I was so excited last week to finally have my hair trimmed (I hadn't done it since the first week of July, yikes!) and I finally got the bangs I wanted! I had set my heart on them over Christmas break, but didn't have the opportunity to do it, so I was thrilled when my friend next door offered to do it for me. She did an excellent job, too. I know this isn't the best picture, but I will be coming back with more soon. I wanted some fringe that could work for an Audrey look or a more modern look; that could be worn straight across my forehead, or pushed to the side. My basic stipulation was to not end up with thick, heavy bangs; I have too many bad childhood memories of those.
     I am feeling the need for color, lots of color, right now. It is dreary and dreadful outside, and I am dying to put on my summer garb and go prancing around, but that is out of the question. The real need is for more winter skirts. I will be devoting myself to sewing skirts over the summer; skirts and blouses. I will have to force myself to keep away from sewing pretty summer dresses. I have plenty of those, and I wear them far less than I do my warm clothes. I am also looking towards starting an Etsy shop when summer (and therefore my sewing machine) come back around. Stay tuned for more details about that! My next post I will be sharing a very exciting thrift shop find!

Lots of love!