Setting In A Sleeve

If you sew, you appreciate the effort required to set in a fitted sleeve. If you don't sew, then you may not realize how much more effort is required for such a task, than, say, a peasant top sleeve. Peasant top sleeve edges and the peasant bodice edges are shaped exactly the same - just lay them together & sew the curve. Fitted sleeves are more complicated - the sleeve is a tall hill, the shoulder where it is attached is exactly the opposite, a valley... why would a creative person want to attempt such an engineering-minded task??

The result is worth it - a tailored look and a well-made garment.

Thank you, Mom, for teaching me to set in a sleeve. I hated it when you were teaching me , it was tedious & boring, and I really didn't do such a good job at the time. Of course I was about 13, so that came with the territory, I guess - sorry about that, Mom.

Now, there are other directions I've seen, such as running a basting stitch on the sleeve to ease it around the curve. And some would do it with the underarm seam already sewn - now that's just making it even harder. This is the way I know, and even though it only took 33 pins this time around (sometimes it takes many more), the technique is worth it. I'm used to it now, having done it many times, and I thought it would be fun to show off a work in progress.

Here it is, the underside/lining of the sleeve is facing you, pinned to the armhole.

And here it is sewn, having progressed at a very slow speed so as to allow for removal of pins and shifting of fabric every few stitches.

And finally, I turned it right side out so you could see the general idea of what it is you've been looking at, although it hadn't been ironed or understitched yet.

I serged the seam, and then went to make some Crazy Crust Pizza with Canadian Bacon, Pepperoni & Onions for dinner - a savory reward!

And for the curious reader, this champagne silk holiday design should be making it's debut this coming week during a special Lilyplum launch...

Rose Creme

Lilyplum is honored to have Jen of Eden's Bouquet as a guest with usthis week. She started out on eBay, but now has a boutique clothing business that can be found in shops around the world! Take a look at all the Lilyplum offerings for this launch, there are so many yummy things, including a rare appearance by Jen with a gorgeous design of her own.

Here's mine - "Rose Creme", a 4 piece custom set

Self Portrait Challenge - Bathrooms 4

Every time I get use my shower, I feel like I'm on vacation. Even though we've had it for 3 years, that feeling has never gone away.

This can probably be best explained by the fact that this same bathroom used to have a prefab shower with a clear glass enclosure and an attached tub. Hard water took it's toll, recaulking never got rid of the mold, and holes in the poorly-installed grout allowed moisture into our walls creating mold there as well. I shuddered every time I got into it, feeling like the worst housekeeper in the world from the horror of it's condition. It had to go.

I never used the tub (used to be the left in the picture below), and now it's replaced by floor space with a laundry hamper & a decorative cabinet for towels & sheets. Some gasped when I said I was having it removed, "Why don't you use it to treat yourself sometimes?" Since I stopped taking baths as a child, I've grown a distaste for sitting in a pool of water that goes from hot to tepid too fast & contains the dirt & sweat I just washed off. Plus, my book gets wet when I accidently put my other hand in the water (presumably to relax) and then pull it out to turn the page, and my glasses get steamed up & spotted. Not to mention, I just don't find standard tubs comfortable at all!

If I want to relax, I'll go lay on my soft sofa or bed.

Or I'll spend some time in my custom-built shower,

where the day washes down the drain, and I can use the massage setting on my handheld shower head.

To see this final week's bathroom-inspired Self Portraits, click HERE

Chocolate Mint

Newly listed on eBay

A one-of-a-kind 4 piece outfit

Includes the dress, pants, mini-apron top & headband

CLICK HERE to see the entire listing

Little Lady Luncheon

Daddy took big-sis Nicole ice skating today... upon the news of their impending departure, Claire turned her big brown eyes on me and mournfully asked what she was going to do? (Claire had a miserable time at her last attempt at ice skating, so we thought it best for her to stay home with her slightly-less-coordinated self.)

Thinking fast, I suggested a tea party lunch, just for two, and she thought that would be grand. We donned plastic jewelry & dress up clothes, ate off of my china, and were joined by some plastic ponies on the table.

When asked what she was doing here, I was educated that "Barbie says in the Princess and the Pauper movie that real princesses keep their pinkie finger up when you hold a cup."

Indeed, we had a most delightful time :)

Self Portrait Challenge - Bathrooms 3

just for fun...

to see more Self Portraits involving Bathrooms, CLICK HERE

Boutique Traditions

Tomorrow is the big day!

I'm so excited to announce that I am launching with a new group, Boutique Traditions, which is made up of some fantastic designers. We have come together with the common purpose of creating classic designs for holidays.

Click HERE to find our listings

starting on Thursday 9/13

including this one, from me!

Self Portrait Challenge - Bathrooms 2

What a difference a new knob can make...

before:

after:

To see more Self Portraits involving Bathrooms (only if you dare!), Click HERE

Self Portrait Challenge - Bathrooms

I must say I was excited at the SPC Challenge for September - Bathrooms!

I love my bathroom, because of all the work that went into it, and how it turned out just the way I wanted it. This was the biggest home improvement project we have undertaken.

Thanks to a poorly-installed-by-cheapskate-builder-shower-stall, we ended up with mold in our walls that crept into our closet & the carpet in there. I despised the adjoining tub because we never used it & I ended up vacuuming the dust out if it during weekly cleanings, while water from the shower leaked into it (and we found out during the renovation, water had been leaking underneath it as well) The window was clear, which creeped me out, with a second story neighbor window not far away, and the fog that collected on it had created a breeding ground for more mold & rust in the drywall. The whole room was white, yet somehow so dull. And the linoleum... let's just say it was less than a-peel-ing. The only thing I haven't done yet is paint the cabinets... someday soon, I hope!

Each week this month I'll show off something I love about my bathroom, and let me tell you, there are many things, so it will be hard to pick just four.

Furthermore, let me encourage you to take pride and find joy in the things you put much effort and thought into, to improve your life & living space.

Frosted glass window... sage green semi-gloss walls... no more tub below that window... smudgy mirror is just a sign that we use this room & love it...

To see more Self Portraits involving Bathrooms, Click HERE

Squeezably Cute

Today we visited with family for the Labor Day holiday,

and I practiced some portrait shots with my nephew.

He is such a sweet baby, and he had

a special smile just for his daddy - so squeezably cute!!

Middle Name Game TAG

I've been tagged by Susan for the Middle Name Game. I also have to tag other people, so if you've been tagged here is what you do:

Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

OK, those are the rules, but I am feeling very creatively challenged, word-wise, today. I have tried & tried but cannot come up with a word for each letter of my middle name: Michelle . So I am doing just the first letter,

M: Marvelous... my life is indeed! Not to say I don't have plenty of difficult moments. But because of Jesus, my Friend who carries me through those difficult moments, and I have been given a gift that is my life, and I am truly, Divinely-blessed to be Marvelous :)

And now I'm tagging just one blogger, also with the letter M: Michelle!