just claiming on bloglovin

Please ignore, just catching up on my blog duties

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2993301/?claim=p469sxagz8m">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

hey, i'm still here!

I see people post how they're "bad bloggers" when they haven't posted in a week or two.  Um, yeah, it's been about 8 months here.  I officially win the bad blogger award, k?

As is expected with such a long absence, much has happened in those 8 months...

-we moved!  As my last post way back in August says, we closed on our house and officially moved in.  Glad to not have to move again.  I just love our house, we've been painting, refinished the floors, decorating, planting and much more.

In my succulent garden, my favorite, sempervivum arachnoideum "cobweb"

-I'm recently unemployed.  I work freelance, my job finished, the season is over, there is no more work for me :(  I'm patiently waiting for the next season to start and jump back on but of course it's delayed.  I really miss all my coworkers and actually having a job, but in the meantime, I'm working on numerous home projects and trying to find other work-just in case.

-and probably the biggest happening since the last time I posted:  our household is expecting!  Yes, another sewing blogger that's pregnant :)  I'm a little over halfway at 20.5 weeks, to be exact.  And it's a boy, which blows my mind.  For whatever reason, I was convinced I would only produce girls.  But a wee baby boy?  We're beyond excited :D

In other news, I'm changing the name of this blog.  It's been bothering me for a while that I don't actually host "sew alongs"  and the name is quite dumb if not.  (I naively thought I would do lots and lots of sew alongs in my new blogger career, bahahah).  The new name is www.ohcraftyone.com and in about 24-48 hours, this blog should redirect...if I did everything correctly.  

I know everyone is switching readers right now (I went with bloglovin) and honestly, I'm not sure how the name change will affect that.  After the new name goes live, I would suggest just inputting it into whatever reader you use.

I'm glad to be back and hopefully my few readers haven't given up on me--I have been sewing!!  And, I actually have pictures already, so stay tuned!

it's that time...

we're closing on our house this week!!

(and i'm stoked to never have to look at this ugly floor again!)

I do have a WIP, and hopefully, between packing and moving, I can get it finished.  It's a dress with one of my fabrics from South Africa, woohoo!

And I have three FOs that so far, I've been too lazy to photograph.  Is it just me or is taking pictures the most difficult part of blogging? 

hollywood heart

Hollywood Heart

 
On my blogiversary I mentioned a non-profit organization a friend of mine is involved in, called Hollywood Heart, an annual arts program/summer camp for kids with HIV/AIDS.  The kids come from all over the United States and learn activities like creative writing, film making, fashion(!) and more. 

My friend, Melysa, runs the fashion portion, and she's graciously agreed to an interview about her role with the camp.  Which is funny, and she said, weird, as she's a producer and usually the one asking questions! 

1.  Tell us about yourself, how you started sewing, how long, past sewing ventures, etc

Well that's a lot, but here goes. I grew up in Orlando and hated it. Especially when I got to high school and desperately wanted to be fashionable.... which just isn't possible there. So my grandma taught me how to sew and make clothes that's where it all began. From there I made ALL my clothes and I wore them with pride! Next thing I knew people were asking me to make their clothes. It all just sort of happened. It eventually turned into me living in NY with a clothing line, a business partner and no sleep for about 5 years. We had a good run, but fashion is fickle so we closed the company while we were still on top and I started costume designing for TV shows. (Which is why the move to LA...)

  

2.  Tell us about the Hollywood Heart Charity and how did you get involved

I was living in LA and working on a TV show and there was this non-profit based out of the back of the production office. I met them over by the coffee machine one day and loved everything they said. I immediately signed up and started volunteering as much as possible. Hollywood Heart is a non-profit that teaches performing arts to kids affected with HIV/AIDS and they run a summer camp for the kids in Malibu every summer. The camp has several vocations for the kids to choose from: music, acting, creative writing, visual arts, filmmaking and of course, fashion. But the main thing I think camp teaches is self-esteem and opportunity. These kids come from a world where 'fashion designer' never occurred to them as a possible path in life.    

 

3.  Walk us through a typical day in the fashion workshop with you

The kids are in their 'classes' for 4 hours everyday and we all work toward our big 'Gala Performance'. My class puts on a fashion show at the gala so our week is jam packed! The kids come in and they've never sewn a stitch, but in just a week they all have 1-2 complete looks that they model in the show. And they do it all! They design their look, sew their look, pick their accessories, pick the music for the show and the performance. Last year they had a guy on stage (whom they styled) and they all pushed him around when they came out from back stage and eventually kicked him off the stage and strutted their stuff right up into the audience. They come up with it all, I was just there to help. 

 

4.  You told me about the shift in the kids from the beginning to the end of camp, explain por favor 

Yeah the kids are flown in from all over the US and most come from rough areas, they don't know each other, and now we're asking them to sing in front of a crowd, it's tough. But once we do some ice breakers and we get started in our classes, the transformation is incredible. They all live with this big burden of being born with a virus that has a bad wrap, but at camp they're surrounded by a bunch of other people just like them, with the same burden. Add to that they're all learning how to make something or discovering a talent they never realized and they just blossom right in front of you. In fashion the big thing is thinking of an outfit they like and then MAKING it by themselves, it blows them away that they can do it. They always tell me how empowered they feel and almost every camper I've had has continued to sew after camp.

 

5.  What do you hope for the future of the camp? 

I just want camp to keep happening. It's a magical place for one week out of the year but it means the WORLD to the kids that attend. I stay in touch with some on facebook and they look forward to camp ALL year, they count the days. But for my class, I'd love to have other professionals come and teach the kids about other aspects like costume design, color theory, basically careers they don't even know exist. 

 

6.  Cause I'm always nosy, what is your favorite material to sew with? 

This is the most difficult question on the list! I've been going round and round but really how can you pick just one? 

 

 

I don't know about you, but I cried after reading her responses!  

 

 

**Now, we all know the sewing community is hugely generous.  I'm asking, please spread the word about this organization, whether through email, blog or other means...And if you're interested in donating, click here **  

 

Thanks, Melysa, for taking time to be on the other side of the interview! 

(totally stole your pic ;-)

 

(And this is interesting, I didn't meet Melysa here in LA, we've known each other since the days we were both traipsing around Miami Beach, about a decade ago.  Fast forward years later, through a mutual friend, we realized we were both out here, AND working in the same business.  I remember meeting her way back then, when she was deep into sewing and selling clothes.  I was still sewing things into squares, haha!  Needless to say, she's been impressing me for a long time with her mad skillz!!)

blogiversary!

I almost forgot my own blog anniversary, whoops!  It was actually two days ago, and I started this post  before, hoping to make the date, but just couldn't make the deadline.


One year ago, I started this wee blog to do a sew along with some friends of mine that wanted to venture more into garment sewing.  The thought was to do a sew along on the Sorbetto, then do more sew alongs, gradually moving into more difficult projects.  I imagined doing one once a month, HAHAHA!  That very first (and so far only) sew along taught me how much work goes into putting one together.  So.much.time.  Needless to say, I might be a little too lazy busy to do something like that.  I never changed the name of the blog, and as obnoxious as it might seem, I'm keeping The Sew Alongs, for now...

my sew along sorbettto

Last spring I was in a little bit of a funk.  My husband was out of town a lot, I wasn't working much, we had moved to a new part of town, away from most of my friends-I was a little depressed.  But, I started feeling the urge to create again.   I dug through some fabric I had stashed and found a purple jersey, and just went for it, making a long rectangle dress, belting it. It wasn't much, but it pushed me to make more (and we do not want to look closely at those seams).  Then I started researching techniques online and stumbled across the sewing blog community.  I was pretty astounded.  I spent hours stalking through the usual subjects, like Gertie and Casey, and I felt really inspired.  Eventually, an idea to do a sew along took hold and I just decided to dip my toe in the blogging world and see what happened.  I'm so glad I did!  I've met some of the most wonderful, creative people both online and in "real" life through sewing this past year and now I can't imagine not keeping up with everyone's adventures.

I've been a bit absent for the past couple months due to a lot of work, buying a house (fingers crossed), traveling for work and family, etc, etc.  BUT, I do have a couple new projects I need to blog about, so keep checking back, and I'll keep stalking everyone's else's space!

In the meantime, please check out an organization a good friend and fellow seamstress is involved in.  Called Hollywood HEART, an annual summer camp for kids affected with HIV/AIDS.

Hollywood Heart

My friend is the sewing instructor for the 3rd year now.  She teaches a group of kids mostly how to alter thrifted clothing, making their own.  At the end of the week they put on a fashion show. How cool is that??  Like most non-profits, they are always needing funds to continue.  My friend has graciously agreed to a little interview, so keep a lookout for that shortly.

If you have a minute, and some spare cash, nothing is too little, please consider donating to this wonderful cause.

Thank you!!!

it's been a loooong time

Hey y'all, long time no talk!!  Life's gotten busy the last couple months and blogging had to take a back burner.  Doesn't mean I haven't been on the sidelines lurking everyone's blogs though, cuz I have!!

Here's my attempt at catching up with everyone.  Warning:  Picture heavy post!

Me Made May '12

Wow.  What a complete fail on my part.  Something I knew about myself, but was made glaringly clear during May-I hate taking pictures of myself.  The first couple days started off ok, being I was at work or hanging out with friends and had them snap a pic.  I adhered to wearing me made items for about the first 2 weeks of May, thinking "oh, I'll just have a long photo session and take all the outfit pics at once".  Of course I would've fully disclosed that process as well ;-)  But that never happened, then I got another job.  One that involves a lot of traveling and working outdoors anywhere from 12-16 hours a day.  There's lots of sweat involved and I don't want to ruin my handmade stuff, so, I guess I opted out of MMM '12.

Here's how far I got...

                             5.1.12                                                          5.5.12

                    random work shot                                    at a friend's birthday celebration, 

                  white lace renfrew                                sancho was a naughty, naughty pinata

                                                                     black maxi skirt, not blogged

                           5.6.12                                                           5.7.12                             

morning after the party, mimosa breakfast         Post job interview (that I scored!) and look who

             w/a friend and the Oz man                  I bumped into at Joann's, Miz Oonaballoona 

                       first Sorbetto                             (who is the sweetest, btw, I chatted her ear off!) 

                                                                                           Lace Renfrew and Black Maxi again         

                                                   
                                                            

hmmm, dunno the date or what I was up to...but

first jersey dress I made last year after getting back into sewing clothes

it's just a big rectangle w/sides and shoulders sewn!

unblogged

So, yeah.  I managed to take 5 pictures, and missed the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th right out of the gate, haha, that's pretty sucky.  Oh well!  I'm not beating myself up about it, it was for fun.  And, the point for me, was to learn about my wardrobe.  Which I did- I need more of everything! Interestingly, i figured out, I think I have broad shoulders, most all my shirts feel tight across the back.  Must work that into my fittings.

I have gotten one sewing project done during this job, and it was an unselfish act-sewing for my favorite doggie.  I made him a new bed :-)  His old store bought one was beyond done.  Ignore his moody face, he really does like it.

life.is.so.tough.

The cover gray duckcloth and black piping.  The inside is just muslin with some stuffing.  And I did a super simple envelope style for ease when washing it.  Sorry about the wrinkly pic above, I had to kick him off it to snap a quick pic!

And this is what's kept me away from my sewing machine...worky work, work!  This is in Colorado, where it felt like I was in the Sound of Music, haha.  If you squint, you can see a snow covered mountain in the background.  Yeah, I did twirl like in the movie.

I'm starting a series of fun work pictures, examples of my outdoor offices

Colorado

Oregon coast

Georgia

And of course it hasn't been all hard work-brewery stop for some beer flights!

for meeeeee?

A couple weeks ago, one of my favorite bloggers Maider from Masustak Eguzkitan was kind enough to award me with the Versatile Blogger Award!  Then Gillian, from Crafting a Rainbow did the same.  I hope you ladies know how much it made my day!!  Y'all are the sweetest!

 versatile blogger award

So, playing by the rules, here are my 7 things:

1.  I like crunchy food.  Bacon, chicken wings, the edges of pancakes, hamburger buns (done on a grill), roasted veggies.  You get the point.

2.  Lists rule my life.  I almost can't function, personal or work, without them.  Marking through a finished item gives me the utmost joy.  Maybe cause I'm a Virgo and so is my mother?

3.  My family is from Mississippi, where I was born, but I was raised in NW Florida, and now live in California.  I do love California, but really yearn for certain places and things back home. 

4.  I've got two degrees, a BA in Anthropology, and a GG-Graduate Gemologist.  Weird path I've taken, with lots of waitressing, non-profit work, jewelry business and now, oddly enough, reality television production.  I like to amuse myself with the notion that TV production is like one big cultural anthropological study.

5.  I have a teenage step-daughter.  She's funny, goofy and loves pancakes.

6.  I love any books, tv shows or movies about witches, aliens, zombies, fantasy.  Buffy, Dr. Who, Battlestar,  X-Files, Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, The Night Circus, etc. (Please, don't even get me started about Harry Potter,  my obsession is probably not healthy for someone my age).
 
7.  I like to drink coffee out of little cups and tea out of big ones.

And to pass it on to 15 more blogs...I have tons on my reader (and not all sewing, shocker!), and thought I'd throw some of my favorites out there.  I really enjoy these and hope you'll check them out!

improve photography
for an online sewing community, photography is important!  and i don't think you have to have a dslr to take a decent photo.  this website has some really great photography tips, history, etc, from white balancing to posing.  and yes, a lot of it is geared at a dslr, but anyone with a camera phone to a point and shoot to a dslr can gain knowledge here!

i spy diy
A cool site for making your shoes glittery, jewelry out of everyday objects, dip dyeing clothes and SO much more.  For anyone interested in DIY fashion, a must read

the beauty department
fantastic tutorials for nails, hair, skincare and makeup

delighted momma
not really a parent heavy site (despite the name), she's an esthetician, there are GREAT skincare tips, mostly DIY!  And every once in a while, yummy recipes.

crazy sexy life
have you ever read Kris Carr's story?  it's very inspiring.  As much as I love crunchy food (see #1 above), I also aim for the uber healthy side.  Juicing, green shakes, yoga, etc.  This site has a lot of guest posts, with many personal health stories

galadarling
Self love.  How many of us have struggled with that?  I still do!  A great site about acceptance-for yourself AND women of all kinds.  Watch her TED talk.  She's glitter, glam, sparkly, but at the same time, has substance and is kind to other women

i still love you
lots of refashions, DIYs, tutorials, etc.  I love her carefree style

in house patterns
there is some serious sewing information on here, good serious, technical fitting issues, and sloper making

made by rae
lots of sewing tutorials, from pockets to kiddie stuff, plus a whole section on sewing knits!

amity originals
i had the pleasure of meeting amity a couple months ago.  she's a powerhouse of a sewist!  plus, she has a dog named buffy, what's not to love?!?

sweet little chickadee
have you seen juli's cute, cute, cute skirts??  I think her use of fabric is very refreshing and suits her perfectly!

untangling knots
personally, I love knitting, too, and this lady has some gorgeous knits that she designs.  Hopefully one day my knitting will appear as effortless as hers!

mimi g
another blogger friend (amity, see above) introduced me to mimi g's blog.  She has on trend style, without seeming trendy, plus some great tutorials

lil bit and nan
a fellow Californian blogger, her style is fresh, vintage inspired.  I think this grecian inspired dress is the bees knees!

idle fancy
dresses and skirts and more dresses, so cute!  I love the materials Mary uses, like eyelet and lace


Thanks again Gillian and Maider, xoxo!!