i was takin' a walk.

Yeah. I know. Three weeks, no post.  That's because I am here in the summer heat making delicate oddities to sell in my Etsy shop with my own two bear paws. Actually, this is a lie. We totally have air conditioning, I spend 12% of my day working on the Etsy shop, and I like to think of my hands as dainty and ladylike (if you are wondering, the other 82% of my time is spent eating oatmeal and choreographing dances to Hall & Oates in my basement. I HAVE MY PRIORITIES.)

I have just been wallowing in laziness until school starts next week, but amidst my lounging on the couch, I have gathered some deep, philosophical thoughts:

1. I should make a DIY version of this shirt. I saw it the other day while flipping through my mom's Lucky magazine and since I love mostly everything with bows, it sang to me. Yeah, literally jumped off the page and belted out I Was Made For You.

If the folks at Net-A-Porter think I am going to dig through my sofa cushions to come up with $135 worth of change, they are mistaken. Get me a Hanes sweatshirt from the Target boys department and some black fabric and we're in business.

2. Egg creams are delicious. Do you have chocolate syrup and milk and some seltzer and a glass and a spoon? Yes? Go make one. Your soul will thank me.

3. Project Runway is boring me, gang. And don't even say it's Lifetime's fault because a channel that has brought such masterpieces as Pregnant at Fifteen and Terror at The Mall CAN DO NO WRONG. If the challenge tonight does not lead them to a fish market where they must construct corsets entirely out of  bones and duct tape, I will shake my fists in anger.

Well, that's that. The Etsy shop should be up in the next week. Start filling that jar on your kitchen counter that says "Funds to support that 15 year old mastermind with startling good looks."

summertime clothes

Remember how I mentioned I was making a dress a few weeks ago? Here it is!

I don't think this picture does it justice ("Digital cameras are for sissies. I like the anticipation of the one hour photo." -my dad). This is the first thing I've sewn that has not turned out like something Holly Hobby would wear to bed (who is Holly Hobby anyway? Why am I using this reference?).

I'm a little bit sad that my classes and days of painfully awkward modeling are over. Now I'll just be returning to my ways of lounging around in my pajamas and eating peanut butter, using the excuse that it's summer and this is what I'm supposed to be doing GOSHDARNIT (In other news, I just said goshdarnit...).

That is, until school starts. I always spend the end of the summer with this illusion in my head that I will purchase a whole new polished wardrobe and an arsenal of shiny school supplies and everyone will return chipper and friendly and I will stay organized and read tons of classic literature. Seeing as I, unfortunately, do not live in a Disney Channel sitcom, this never happens. 

P.S. I saw some overpriced, glued zipper flower accessories at Urban Outfitters a few days ago and felt really excited that I had successfully beat THE MAN. I'm thinking of starting an Etsy shop. What do you guys think of that?

I spy a DIY: zipper flower rosettes

How's you summer been going? I've been taking fashion design classes at a local college for the past few weeks. I get to broaden my sewing skill horizons, meet new kids (including eccentric sixth graders with a passion for anime. Ugh more on that later...), pretend to ballroom dance with the mannequins when I should be doing *important* things, and make funny observations about my fellow passengers on the train ride there (i.e. woman eating three snacks while reading a book on  overcoming addiction to food, old man listening to 867-5309 on full volume for all to hear etc.). 

ANYWAYS, I've begun to work on dress for my class's upcoming fashion show. My design involves a nice, big zipper flower. 

I went in search of a good tutorial to make one, but they all either a.) were too pointy. I'm going for a rounded rosette look or b.) involved hot glue, which I am not too fond of due to a particular incident as a child involving metallic sequins and my thumb. So I decided to make my own and will now share it with you good looking folks. 

Supplies

+zipper(s) with exposed metal teeth (the longer your zipper, the bigger the flower. I used several and sewed them together. Look for a bin of reject zippers in a fabric shop. They're much cheaper and work just as well.)

+scissors

+needle

+thread that corresponds to the color of your zippers

+an hour or two of your time (I got the big yellow one during 3 episodes of The Nanny)

Note: I know the following directions are not very eloquent or fantastically illustrated. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask in the comments!

 

1. Unzip your zipper. Cut through the teeth on each side, as close as possible to the pull, on both sides. If you are using multiple zippers, do this to them as well.

2. On all except for one zipper half, cut the flap of fabric on the other end, as close as possible.

3. Take the one zipper half with the end flap remaining. Tightly roll the fabric flap to form the basis of the flower bud. Secure with a stitch or two.

4. Wrap the zipper around the bud, spiraling downward so the teeth do not overlap. Continue until the bud of the flower is the size that you'd like.

5. Fold the zipper fabric, making a little pleat, and secure it with a stitch. 

6. Stitch the edge, near the fold, of the zipper fabric to the bud. Continue stitching and pleating, every half inch or so, wrapping the bottom of the zipper around. (I know this sound complicated, but I promise once you start you will get a feel for it)

7. Once you're through stitching your zipper, stitch the end of it to the middle of the backside of the rosette.

8. If you are adding another zipper half, simply stitch it where the other half left off. Continue until the rosette is the size that you'd like it.

You can use these for all sorts of things: headbands, hair clips, pins, edgy yard decor to throw off the neighbors etc. My mind is reeling with ideas. I can't wait to make some more!

saltwater queen.

Forget those ubiquitous gladiators that everyone and their mom has (I'm not kidding. She has them. Go look in your mother's closet. I'll wait.), retro made-for-toddlers-who-run-around-the-playground sandals are where it's at! 

My Saltwater Sandals came in the mail today. Even though this pair is made for women, the sizing says youth, which just makes me feel really young and vibrant and almost not drink my Metamucil. Almost. They make me so happy that I decided to go outside and frolic in joy with the woodland creatures of my yard.

It did not go over very well. 

(shirt: diy of an old v-neck. One of these days I'll make a tutorial on it. Maybe. skirt: old Tommy Hilfiger dress. belt: ripped off of my mom's target shirt. A rebel I am.)

This pattern reminds me of Liberty print. I fashioned this skirt out of an old Tommy Hilfiger dress I got at TJ Maxx in the fourth grade. Radical stuff, I know. 

P.S. I want to make a new header, but am photoshop/html challenged. If anyone wants to help a girl out, drop me line in the comments or email. I will pay you with my love! And a DIYed t-shirt.

and now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Instead of studying last night, I made this headband. But it's alright, I'm pretty certain those flowers are imparting tons of knowledge into my head.

Today's goal was to receive zero hipster references. My art teacher told me I look "very nineteen 20's." What's that I hear? The sweet sound of success? Yes, I think so.

Shirt: sister's hand-me-down (H&M). Tank: Target. Skirt: It's actually an AA dress. I wear it unhealthy amounts, which you wouldn't know of course because of my sporadic blogging. Tights:mom's. Shoe: Nine West. Headband: it's fuchsia, I swear.