Ruffle Necklace

I found a tutorial online yesterday that said making these adorable, ruffle necklaces was simple and quick.  They were right!

I had no idea how easy this would be.  I had everything at home that I needed, including scrap fabric of course.  This necklace really was so simple and adorable I want to make 100 more!   Don't be surprised if you get one for Christmas. :)

Close up

This ain't yo mama's denim jumper

Ok, well I suppose it could have been at one point, considering I bought it second hand.  But it ain't you mama's denim jumper no mo!

This was another $0.59 purchase.  I imagine your mom wearing it with a t-shirt underneath and her favorite clogs...maybe even those gray, wool socks.  Not anymore!  It took me a while but I finally decided what to do with this dress.  First, I had to get rid of the collar.

Hooray for my new dress form!

Next, I took in the sides and took off about 7 inches of length.  It was cold and rainy today so I wore my new jumper with leggings, and my new boots.

Much better, I'd say!

I am sorry to report...

I did not make anything new for my birthday weekend.  It was just too busy.  However, I had a wonderful 28th birthday :)

Work Attire

I was in need (want) of something to wear to work.  This skirt caught my eye.

It was another $0.59 item from the thrift store near work.  Nothing terribly exciting.  Just a cream colored, high waisted skirt.

There were just a couple of changes to be made.  First: it was missing a button on the waist so I added one from my collection.

Second: I needed to take off some length so as not to make this 5'1" girl look any shorter.

And that was it!  I wore it with a plumb colored top from Forever 21 and my clearance wedges from Target and I was set for a day of teaching and therapizing (that's not really a word).

Pockets!

Party Dress

Today we gave a surprise party for my mother-in-law's 50th birthday.  I knew I'd need something special for this occasion and I believe I found just the thing.

I bought this dress last week for $1.25 at my local thrift store.

 


















I liked the color and the shape.  It definitely had potential.  I didn't like the giant shoulder pads and the awkward length.  I find that most dresses are made for taller women.  I am not one of those women.

I removed the shoulder pads and took in the bodice and skirt about 3 inches.  I knew it would be a hot day so the 3/4 sleeves just would not do.

I went back and forth on the neckline and finally decided to create a v-neck.  I took 5 inches off the bottom as well!

The final product:

Obviously, I was my own photographer.

It turned out to be a great dress.  It feels a little more grown up than I'm used to, but I guess that's alright since I'll be 28 this week.

Oh, I almost forgot...I think the dress goes well with my new hair, don't you? :)

Ack!

I know what you're thinking.  "How on earth could she do anything with this monstrosity of a dress?"  Well, I was thinking the same thing when I started.  I really wasn't sure where I was going.  This dress was completely out of control.  I'm actually a little embarrassed to show you this picture as it's completely unbecoming.

I began by removing the should pads.  That was a no-brainer.

Look at the size of that thing!

Then I quickly realized the top portion of the dress had entirely too much going on.  By the time I was done removing things, I had almost completely disassembled the dress.  These are the extra parts.

I got rid of the shoulder pads, THE SHOULDERS, the sleeves, the collar, and 8 inches off the bottom.  The entire project took me a week because (a) I was busy, and (b) the dress overwhelmed me.  Today I finished the final stitching and I'm feeling pretty good about it.

Hooray for pockets!

Even though I only paid $0.59 for the dress, it seems kind of fancy so I'm not sure yet where I'm going to wear it.  But I guess whenever that special occasion arrives I will be prepared :)