In My Dreams…

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dress, fabric, fabrics, patterns, projects, sew exhausted, sewing vintage clothing, Vintage, vintage dress, vintage pattern

Ah Dear Readers… I thought I would share my dream life… (We all have one don’t we?)

I LOVE old movies… I love old (I mean vintage) clothes… I LOVE the fashions of the 20’s through the 50’s. The 60’s are fun too but I could never carry them off. I see my girls in the fashions of the 60’s… young and fun.

Some day, I am going to have one “dream day.” And here it is.

I am going to leisurely wake up… None of this dragging myself out of bed at 5 Am and starting work. Noo- I want to slip in to my sheer peignoir and my feather mules and enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee with my perfectly coiffed hair and ruby red full lips.

In all honesty I am reading a book here- not gazing in to a mirror admiring my “ruby red” lips! Then… I’d like to lay around at the pool… I’d like lunch served at the pool. Yes… and maybe a fancy cocktail… or two!

In the afternoon a little shopping would definitely be in order… I would need to change in to a lovely day dress. Maybe something like this:

I am thinking the lovely pink one would work for me.

Oh Dear! Grocery shopping- NO- and most definitely not with my pet deer… 😉 I think I’d prefer jewelry shopping or maybe a new dress as it seems I sure have to change a LOT in my dream life!

Speaking of changing, I will definitely want to change for dinner. Put on an elegant dress and dine on Lobster and Filet Mignon. And I’d drink champagne cocktails or Manhattans… Cheers!

I will definitely need to end the evening with some dancing.

Ahhh- the life. I am sort of exhausted! Seriously!

The reality? Crawl out of bed, make myself some tea, and wear flannel jammy pants and a sweatshirt. I work from home so I can stay in those jammy pants all day if I want! Eat oatmeal, soup and whatever I can scrape up for dinner. In between I chauffeur one of those darn kids around and maybe run an errand or 2. Oh, and in my free time? I sew! I guess my life has a charm all it’s own!

For 2013 I am compiling my sewing goals. I do have 2 “for sure no matter what” projects on my list that involve vintage… Here is one! The other is at home and I already have a fabric for it… Can’t wait!

Hope you all have a Happy New Year- in case I don’t get the urge to blog again until 2013!

xoxox- L

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Holiday Finery… Triumphs and a Failure… and a WINNER…

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Christmas, clothing, daughters, dress, easy sewing projects, fabric, holiday, patterns, projects, sew exhausted, sewing, Vintage, vintage dress

I know… I know… I should have posted days ago. But the holidays are here! And I am in Oregon visiting family! Having martini lunches and wine tasting! Visiting my Grandma and Mama and Aunts and Uncles… So, I will get right to it, so I can get back to enjoying my last few days!

Christmas was wonderful… For me it is all about the family and being together- which this year I got in a big way. Being on a tight budget I decided to not spend anything- and just made a few gifts for all. The travel (gas is NOT cheap!) was our gift…

For Christmas Eve we hopped on over to my Aunt Candy and Uncle Bills house… champagne and snacks abounded. And then back to my moms (where we are staying) for a lovely evening meal. Christmas morning we made brunch- popovers were on the menu which is one of our all time faves… and then to Uncle Ray and Aunt Annas for a prime rib Christmas dinner. Ahhh- the food!~ The fun!

My girls got all dolled up. I had made 2 of them dresses- and one wore a vintage dress we purchased on Ebay a while back. So- here they are in all their Holiday Splendor! (Juliette is NOT going to be happy- she hated her dress. 😦 )

First up- here is Kadi in the vintage dress. It is black velvet and has a tulle slip. I absolutely LOVE the scalloped neckline and want to recreate this. Isn’t the back divine?

Holly wanted a green dress this year. I used Simplicity 2305- a Cynthia Rowley design. I love the sleeves… I love the crepe backed satin I used… I didn’t love the fit of the bodice. Holly is difficult to fit- she is sooo tiny. I am thinking of trying a petite pattern on her. The bodice is a little loose but she is happy and I am happy! I think if I do this again I will make the neckline a little less deep.

And Juliette’s dress- The ultimate fail- although when I get home I am going to try and save it. I waited until the last minute with this one. The fabric is GORGEOUS and one I thought would go well with her coloring. It is a gold and creme lame. I picked a simple pattern BUT it is home and I am here so I will have to add it later! What this dress REALLY needs is some fitting and a GOOD ironing on a low temp. The seams are pulling. SO – although I would only like to share my magnificent triumphs- I will share this dismal failure.

Yes- a good pressing and a little fitting and MAYBE she will wear it again.

Last but not least- here is Eleena’s Holiday finery. Kerrielee used a white cotton and although it is difficult to see there is red tulle peeking out.

Next year I get some holiday finery!! Selfish sewing in 2013!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday! I am looking forward to getting home and getting my “sew on.”

xoxox ~Laurie

PS… Oh WINNER WINNER! Darlene is our winner! Please contact me with your mailing address and I will mail your lovely piece of chiffon. (sewexhausted@gmail.com) And thank you all for commenting and liking us on FB!)

Milestone- 1000 Views and a Little Giveaway!

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fabric, fabrics, gifts, Giveaway, makeup brush holder, quilt, quilting, sew exhausted, sewing, sewing vintage clothing, Vintage

Today we reached 1000 VIEWS! So, we decided a small celebration was in order- THANK YOU to all who have stopped by and read the Sew Exhausted Blog. You are VERY much appreciated. xoxox

Our giveaway is just a little something and easy to take part in. A comment gets you one entry and liking our Facebook page gets you two!!! (Just mention in your comment you liked FB and we will put your name in twice. AND if you already like us on FB we will toss one in for you anyway!) I will do the drawing on Wednesday and announce the winner Thursday. (Christmas and the Holidays mean I am be a little busy!)

I also noticed we have a variety of readers- so there are several different little somethings you can choose from if you win!

For the seamstress I have a yard and a third of this sheer chiffon type fabric. (Yeah- I am really knowledgeable about WHAT type of fabric this is- lol) But I know its pretty and has nice drape and is a bit sheer. 🙂

A while back I made about 10 Make-up brush holders and did a tutorial on it. So, I thought I would throw one of those in to the pot.

And for the Quilter we have a great set of 36 5×5 squares.

I want to apologize for the dreadful photos- I snapped them in a rush right before I left on our trip to Oregon for the holiday… Because I just KNEW 1000 views would hit while I was away…

So, THANK YOU! Leave us a comment- and what you think you’d like to win! And like us on Facebook too! Entries are welcome from anywhere- I know we have readers from all over…

~Laurie and Kerrielee

PS. Have a blessed Holiday!

Pause for a Commercial Break…

Tags

Christmas, dress, driving, family trip, Oregon, quilting, sew exhausted, sewing, snow

I am not sure WHAT the commercial is- but I need to pause for a few days. I am heading up to Oregon later tonight- a 15 to 16 hour drive from San Diego. I am a little nervous. A big old winter storm hit and there are weather advisory’s through the pass. First 12 hours will be a piece of cake but the last few when I cross over the Shasta area and Siskiyou Mountains, well, lets just say driving in snow does not thrill me. I don’t DO snow… I don’t DO cold as a matter of fact! Brrrrrrrr….

I am excited to be going to Oregon with my girls though. My mom, grandma, cousins, aunts and uncles will be there. It will be a nice way to spend Christmas. BUT, the drive… Sigh, Ah well.. I keep hoping this will not be us:

I plan on taking pictures of the girls in their Christmas dresses and will blog about those- (I am going to make them go stand in the snow! Haha) And we will be announcing our giveaway for reaching 1000 views. (Any day now!)

I will see you in a few days! And have a great weekend.

L

Gonna Have to Give SOMETHING Away!

Tags

fabric, fabrics, gifts, Giveaway, quilting, quilts, sewing

I have been watching our stats like a hawk- because, well, I am that way! And I am thrilled to announce that we hit 952 views this morning. Now some of you old time bloggers are probably WAY WAY beyond that but I am happy that our views will soon hit the 1000 mark.

So happy, that Kerrie and I want to give something away to celebrate. We have tossed a few thoughts back and forth. She suggested E-4…

But I wasn’t sure we’d have any takers!!! So, she thought E-5 could do the trick…

I on the other hand am leaning towards either a quilting or sewing something. 🙂

So- stay tuned and we will let you know what we decide tomorrow!!! I am thinking ANY day we are going to hit that 1000 mark and want to celebrate with you all!

Wordless Wednesdays… A few Quilts :)

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fabric, patterns, projects, quilting, quilts, sew exhausted, sewing, wordless wednesday

Grandmas Butterfly by Kerrielee

Black and White Challenge Quilt by Laurie

Hearts and Flowers Quilt by Kerrielee

Palm Tree “Beach” Quilt by Laurie

And YES- We use our quilts- Winter Day at the beach… 🙂

Can I hear a ROAR?

Tags

dress, fabric, fashion, patterns, sew exhausted, sewing

As a newbie blogger, I have found the blogging world to be fun, supportive and inspiring. I love reading what everyone is up to, seeing what they have made, drooling over recipes, and I can honestly say I learn something every day! AND I love to see the “challenges” and sew-alongs and pattern pyramids and well, it just seems like a wealth of sharing and caring goes on.

Now, I am going to embark on my first “challenge” and it looks like rip-roaring fun! One of my favorite reading pleasures is Pretty Grievances.   And she is hosting Jungle January. We have been challenged to “push the feral envelope this month and stitch up some cuddly crazy or some sleek beast to be featured as part of this soon to an annual animal thang!.” (ooo- I LOVE that quote!)

So, I am in… my cousin is in… And frankly I can’t WAIT to see what everyone stitches up. I have to admit I have already been frantically combing through my stash to find an appropriate meow.. or maybe a growl… Now I just have to decide who I am going to make it for and what it will be!

Ring Out the Old???

Tags

Butterick, patterns, quilting, sewing, sewing vintage clothing, Vintage, vintage dress, vintage pattern

I LOVE Old things.. They make me ponder where have they been? Who has cherished them? Who has worn them? The stories those “things” could tell! Some of the things I have I know the story. Like these little elves I get to bring out every Christmas. My mother and father bought these before I was born. They decorated our house every year when I was growing up. And a few years ago they were bestowed on me. Now they grace MY tree and I tell my children their story.

Elves

Aren’t they the sweetest little guys? I TREASURE them!

I even like “old” music… OH WAIT! I mean CLASSIC music. I like classic rock, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Doris Day, and The Beatles… sigh…

Isn’t George dreamy? 🙂

Even clothing… I have not had the chance to embark on wearing some of the vintage styles I love mainly because I am just returning to sewing for myself. I have spent the last 20 years sewing for those kids and quilting! Next year I have a goal to make myself at least 3 vintage style dresses. (I have already made a few for my girls… check out A Lovely Fiona Dress for a pretty 60’s party dress!)

Here is a small selection of some of my vintage patterns. I can’t decide if I will make B5747 or B5813 first. I have fabric for both picked out already!

Finally, here is the dress my eldest daughter will be sporting for Christmas. Tell me this isn’t straight out of the 50’s! It has petticoats and is made from a gorgeous black velvet. I LOVE the scalloped neckline and would like to recreate a pattern like this. Kadi wanted it shortened but I said NOOOOO! I will make her one similar in a shorter version. 🙂 We just acquired this dress a few months back. I wonder who wore it and where they were going? How was the party? Or parties this dress has attended? Ahhh- if only it could speak!

I suppose I am happy to leave some of the old things behind… I have several 2012 things I am more than happy to shake from my feet… However there are many old things I like to keep- good memories, wonderful stories, old friends (not saying you guys are OLD just that you have been around awhile!) and an assortment of old things I just don’t want to let go of.

I have been sewing up a storm this week- I finished Holly’s Christmas dress- a lovely green crepe backed satin dress that I used a Cynthia Rowley pattern for… and I am half finished with Juliette’s creamy gold dress that I better get moving on as we are taking pictures tomorrow!

Take care!  ~L

Wordless Wednesday…

Tags

costumes, dance, Family, quilting, sewing, wordless wednesday

My eldest (and youngest) daughter is a dancer- Here are some costumes I have made her over the years- That’s it- NO MORE WORDS!

Costumes- over 20! Made by me and Kerrielee

Spanish Guitar solo

Willow Tree Solo

This costume took planning!

Ok- I cheated I cheated! There are WORDS! 😉

Liebster Award! For Moi?

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Liebster Award

I was thrilled to find out that Sew Exhausted was nominated by Savard Studios for the Liebster Award! I have seen it on some other blogs but never thought I would be nominated- at least not YET! 😉  I am a pretty new blogger and have found the blogging community to be so supportive and interesting and a  wealth of knowledge. It is like having a bunch of brand new friends I get to share my successes and failures with and cheer them on in theirs as well. The best part of this award is choosing 11 other great blogs I have stumbled on and pass the award to them. 🙂

What is the Liebster Award?

The Liebster Award’s origins are pretty much a mystery. Bloggers nominate other bloggers that have 200 or less followers. “Liebster” is German for “favorite,” so this is kind of like the “favorite blog award.” It’s basically a “Hey, that’s a sweet little blog you’ve got there. Here’s an award!” You can’t just accept the award. You have to play by the (ever changing) rules and pay it forward. Then you can put the award on your blog for all to see.

The Rules:
1. List 11 facts about yourself.
2. Answer the 11 questions given to you.
3. Create 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award.
4. Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate.
5. Go to each bloggers page and let them know about the award.
6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.

Here are 11 facts about me:
1. I have 4 wonderful chilluns- 3 girls and a boy
2. I have the privilege to work from home doing customer support for a software company
3. I LOVE to cook
4. I sang at a few weddings when I was younger
5. At one time I wanted to be a famous soap opera star. (lol)
6. I was born in Hawaii, lived a few years in Australia, and now reside in California
7. When I first started sewing I was afraid of button holes and used velcro… (confession)
8. I wear a size 10 shoe 😦
9. I really enjoy going to a good craft brewery and tasting the awesome beer
10. I have at least 6 unfinished quilts I need to work on
11. I love the Beatles- especially George Harrison… (sigh)

Questions from Savard Studios
1. Do you prefer the beach or the mountains? So difficult because they both have their positives but I am going to say mountains- Tends to be very peaceful and quiet in the mountains.
2. What is your favorite song? You and I- Scorpions
3. What’s your favorite day of the week and why? Saturday. Because it is the start of the weekend! Most people say Friday, but Friday is just another work day for me. Saturday is an open book I get to “play” with and do whatever!
4. What’s your favorite holiday? The 4th of July was my fave holiday. Fireworks and family picnics. But I am leaning towards Christmas now- because it can last 4-6 weeks and you can do so much family stuff. The music! The lights! and the get togethers with family. And the memories intertwine from all the Christmases past. 🙂
5. What movie can you watch over and over? The Princess Bride
6. What color do you wear the most? Black
7. What is your biggest accomplishment so far? Raising my children. I have not been perfect by any means BUT they are turning out darn good if I must say so myself.
8. How many hours each week do you spend blogging? I think about 5-7 right now.. and that includes hopping around and reading my favorite blogs and finding new ones.
9. Salty or sweet favorite treat? SWEET SWEET SWEET!
10. Favorite book you’ve read this year? The Harry Potter series
11. One thing you don’t go anywhere without? My keys

Questions for my nominees
1. Where are you from?
2. If you could live anywhere, where would you choose?
3. What is your favorite food?
4. What is your favorite activity?
5. What is your favorite holiday?
6. What type of music do you like?
7. If you could be anyone for one day who would it be?
8. What is your favorite season?
9. What do you do to relax?
10. What is your least favorite vegetable?
11. Kids or no kids?

My nominees
1. Bolts Bobbins and Blunders
2. Hearts and Crafts Boutique
3. Keep Calm and Wear Pearls
4. Sweet Love and Ginger
5. What the Helvey
6. The Cottage Diaries
7. Arrow in the Eye
8. Jami Learns to Sew
9. The New Vintage Wardrobe
10. Dapper Duds
11. An Exacting Life