There are days when it seems the world is plotting against me and my dreams. Those are the best days to just stay home and create projects for your friends.


This cute little guy is for two of my very favorite friends and their brand new baby boy.

Jazz up your Shirt

I keep seeing these awesome low back shirts with cute jewelry dangling in the open space. I am not a size small, and the shirts I see don't usually compliment my size or personality. I hit the jackpot while shopping with my friend, I found a low back black t shirt on the clearance rack in American Eagle. Under $10! Yes!

I like options, so the beads are strung together and hooked on the shirt using a jewelry clasp. I stitched a little piece of ribbon into the shoulder seam on each side to hold the bead strands in place. It can still be worn without the beads too. (Note the kitty helping. He helps with everything.)

I thought about only having two strands, but there were just enough beads to make a tighter top strand.

Finally, the finished product!

Back in the Game

Life got busy and I forgot about my blog! Life tends to get busy and I tend to forget stuff, so this isn't unusual. I left my retail job a few months ago, it was replaced with twice as very rewarding work. Better, much better! I was hoping this would give me more time to do things I want to do, it hasn't really worked that way. I have done a little bit of sewing and crafting, a little bit of cooking and a lot of running. Whew! Well, I'm back!

Pockets, Please!

By now, I think everyone knows that I love sewing. Most of my friends also know that I love to workout as well. Making workout clothes is do-able, (the first pair of workout shorts I made are one of my proudest accomplishment, since they were accompanied my a 60 pound weight loss) but not really cost effective. Unfortunately, the clothes you buy off the racks are sometimes lacking essential qualities, like pockets. Why do men's shorts come with pockets, but women's don't?

I live in the Garden State, run outside and don't really want one of those ipod holders tanned on to my arm!

Where am I supposed to put my phone or keys?

Men's shorts just don't fit right, mostly because they are too long. BRAINSTORM! Just make the men's shorts shorter!

Supplies:
-Men's athletic shorts
(I recommend lined ones.)
-tape measure
-pins
-marking pencil
-sewing machine
-thread
-scissors

Directions:

1. Decide how short/long your want your shorts to be. Mark the measurement with a chalk marker. (My chalk marker is from the quilting department, you can change the chalk color depending on the fabric.) I marked them 4" shorter, making them 5" shorter when I was done.

2. Stitch around the leg of your shorts to keep the layers together. Remember to pull the fabric taunt as sewing.

3. Trim the excess. Leave about 5/8" selvage for hemming.

4. Fold the hem up, twice and stitch down. By folding it up twice, you'll cover the raw edge, giving it a clean finish. I used a zig zag stitch to keep a nice flat finish.

5. Trim the strings, and you're done!

Not bad for a 30 minute project!

On a side note, I don't really like shorts. I would rather wear running capris, a tennis skort....even a swim suit. Why? I don't know. none of those have the options I needed, and are rarely practical if you're taking part in a running group.

Things Rarely Go As Planned

I'm a very opinionated person. I'm very well aware of this.

Dress it up

Sometimes wearing a ski jacket or over sized hoodie just isn't appropriate.



Sometimes it gets cold enough to need mittens.



You always need to look classy and comfortable.

being warm is worth it

I keep seeing adorable asymmetrical hoodies, but can not bring myself to by one. It might have to do with the exuberant price tag, the crazy sizing or the fact I can just make my own. Since I was granted a mini-vacation, complete with some of my very favorite people, I used this as an opportunity to figure it out.

I couldn't find a pattern for this idea, so I had to alter one that I already had.



I used view C as the base, but added a double layer to allow for the pleats. I also added the buttons and snaps.



Snaps are hidden under the pleats for closures, with the exceptions of the two top buttons. The silver and clear gavd it a little glam.



The hood and cuffs are lined with a grey burnout knit to add a little variation to the color.