Before and After -- On Commission

I had a client who wanted a purse made from a favorite skirt that she didn't wear. Check it out at http://www.yayamade.blogspot.com. Here's the before and after shots.

LEMONADE

It's old. It's trite. But it's so true. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And that's what I did.

I had been working on a passport wallet/purse. (See http://www.yayamade.blogspot.com/2009/06/day-tripper-1-sold.html, (Day Tripper). Since I design as I go, I sometimes end up making several mock-ups before I get the finished product. I had really slaved over the last one, which was to be my first Day Tripper model. I had worked very hard to get it just the way I wanted it. It was done, finished, except for the YAYAMADE iron-on label. Well, to make a long story short, I melted the entire front off of the thing. I said a few choice words, you know, "rats" and "darn" (yeah, right) and, yes, I did cry. And I wondered how in the heck I was going to get that goop off my iron.

Here's the lemonade part. It peeled right off the iron (it had cooled). And it was an intriguing plasticy substance. So, ta-da, I have discovered a new art medium. It's strong, it's pliable. I took a small piece and appliqued it onto a piece of fabric. So, there you go. You never know when life will give you lemonade. (The pics show before and after the iron fiasco.)

FUN PROJECT

I saw a bag on the internet made from a man's suit coat. It was really cute and a clever use of the coat. It had a lot of piecing, like crazy quilting. I've had that in the back of my mind, so I bought a man's suit and vest at one of the local thrift stores so I could give it a try, and put my spin on it. I had a blast creating three bags, and even have enough left to make a fourth. Since I design as I go, there's some things I'll do differently next time, which is always the case. But these turned out well-enough to offer on YAYAMADE. They are sooooooo cute. Here's a pic of all three. You can check out individual bags and get the details at http://www.yayamade.blogspot.com/.

REfashion

Here's one of my first attempts at refashioning clothing. I used a zip-front vest and a dress for its chiffon ruffly skirting, both of which were 50-cent items from a local thrift store, to make a fun dance top. Since I design as I go, there's a couple of oopsies, that probably I'm the only one who'll notice. But it turned out kind of cute.

REcycle Milk/Juice Cartons

Storage. I use them for storage, the carton part. The tops I use for something else which I'll share later in a tutorial. But the bottoms I use for storing anything from socks to threads. I save my thread ends and serger thread ends because -- well, who knows, I'll probably work them into a project some day, or I'll share them with the birdies for nest building. The cartons, can be used individually or can be taped together to make a little storage system. I did that with the large Goldfish cartons. You can cover them with fabric or wrapping paper to pretty them up, but I just left mine as they were, as they're behind a closed door (of my chifarobe). I love reusing things like this. I just hate to throw away anything. You know, as soon as you throw it away, you're going to need it. I take after my dad. I think he had two of every tool ever made. Miss him.

MY MACHINES

Here's what I work with. Both are Vikings, the One Plus and the serger is the Huskylock 936, a 5 thread model with coverstitch capability. I must confess I've never used the 5th thread or done the coverstitch. I think the way to go would be to have a second serger; one to keep on cover stitch and one for regular serging. The embroidery part of the One Plus is now rendered useless pretty much because of the new technology, but I use it mostly for sewing anyway. Someday I'll get a newer model for embroidery that's easier to use. They now hook up directly to the computer; no more of the little disc thingys. Much more convenient, I expect. I had a Janome, which is also an outstanding machine, but gave it to my daughter when she became interested in sewing last Christmas. Also on my wish list is one of those embellishing machines.

RING-A-DING - 8/8/2008

These are some of my first jewelry-making endeavors. I had bought some 20-gauge regular wire to practice on. It was too thick and hard to work with, but I did get an idea about how to work it. I bought some jewelry wire (24-gauge) and made some rings using some fun buttons. These will give these to MBG as she likes cutie things. If she doesn't like them, she can give them back to me. Also made a bracelet using clear stretch cord and makings from some jewelry I'd taken apart. White and red. It came out okay. Kinda of cute. I'm giving it to MBG also.