Jeans Obsession

Trying to post on here from my iPhone for the first time. I hope it works!

I worked on some more jeans last night. Again I got a pair at GAP for super cheap that are too big and too long. And here's the result of my sewing endeavor with them.

I love LA - and my sewing machine, in case you missed that last time.

Did I mention yet that I freaking love my sewing machine?

Earlier this summer I found a pair of skinny bootcut jeans at GAP on clearance for like $3 or something ridiculous. The only problem is they were made for a giant. I'm 5'6" and I ended up cutting off 2-3 inches from the bottom. I was just rolling them up and tapering them which looked cute for summer. But they would come unrolled and then were really bulky if I tried to wear under boots.

So last night I attempted to taper them myself and shorten them another 2 inches.

SUCCESS!!!

 

 

The right leg is how long and flared it was before. The left leg is the one I shortened and tapered. I'm so happy with how they turned out! Upon close inspection it's obvious the amateur hem job I did on these babies. But no one will be staring that closely at my ankles. Plus they'll be tucked into boots when fall arrives. Yippee!! Now I can keep buying weird sizes and lengths in the clearance section and do my own alterations!

Friday, we had a great time in LA with Winston, Bill's mom and the boys. The La Brea Tar Pits were a hit with the kids and they got to run around like crazies in the park until Winston got off work. He works in a building directly right across the street so it was convenient. There are these big hills that surround the museum and we spent most of our time lying in the grass and rolling down the hills trying not to break a limb. Holden said, "I love LA".

Sew What

My very first sewing pun. Awesome, right? I knew you'd like it.

So, I've fallen in love with my sewing machine. I've been wanting to hem some of my jeans and fix holes without having to take in a dozen pairs to the tailor. Bill's mom is here so she helped me get the sewing machine set up since it was Bill's grandmother's and she's familiar with it. It's a 1956 Singer - isn't it beautiful?

I realize it may not be the easiest sewing machine to relearn on since I haven't sewed since I was 9. But I love it. I made this cute little tube scarf yesterday out of the H&M dress that I tried to take in by hand-sewing and screwed up. I'm looking forward to taking old clothes that I have around the house and redoing them instead of just tossing them.

So my first project was taking this shirt that was too big and just trying to make it fit better. I used another shirt as a pattern, just cut the sides, took it in there and under the sleeves. It turned out really good actually...

Except I think it might be a little short. But I'm taking some stretchy knit/spandex fabric and making these. It's amazing how different you look when you wear a shirt that fits you though right? When it was baggy I think it made me look much bigger than I am. (Sorry for the poor lighting.)

Anyway, that was fun. And now I just want to make more and more stuff. If anyone wants to share their favorite projects or sewing blogs and websites, I would love that!

Here's something I want to make soon.

A few sites that I'm getting lost in:
refashionco-op.blogspot.com
sewknitme.blogspot.com- this girl is so cute
cottonandcurls.blogspot.com

I'm planning to get through this list this year too.


I'll post more pics of my projects and work on some better photography too. This was a rushed 1st attempt because I was just so dang excited.

Okay now toff to get some work done, run some errands and be ready to head to LA today to see Winston. Going to the La Brea Tar Pits!

My toothpaste is strawberry flavored.

Ash discovered a new Japanese cartoon to watch on Netflix called Sgt. Frog. I started watching it with him today and was greeted by an intro song called "Ribbit March". It's sub-titled and after reading along, I had to sit down and transpose to share with you.

Forward Ho! To conquer Earth!

When I leave home with an umbrella it never rains.

Attenshun! Grit your eyes!!

I forgot to cook rice for the curry.

I pinched my pinky in the closing door.

I hopped on and found it was going the wrong way.

The company trip was a washout.

Ah, dinner is much cheaper if you buy it at the store!!!

Raise our voices high in a victory cheer.

I run to answer the phone and it’s a fax coming in.

Today marks “the first year of the Keroro era”!!!

Sweep a square area in a circle.

Paddle hard shedding sweat and tears.

My toothpaste is strawberry flavored.

Keron is No. 1 in the universe, I think.

Ah, they said it’s five minutes from the station but it’s really fifteen!!!

Well then, soldier men, it’s a job well done!!!

= = =

What just happened?

Shoe extravaganza!

After deciding today that I may never find a single pair of boots I like, I decided to stop into Ross for the heck of it and see if they had anything good. And what do you know? I hit the jackpot.

Actually got these at TJMaxx earlier this week for only $25 (reg price $40) - Madden Girl.

Roxy - Reg Price $50 - Paid $25

Nicole - Reg Price $60 - Paid $23

Sporto - Reg price $120 - Paid $25 (ignore the mess please)

Close-up of the ones above

Skechers Shapeups - Reg price $90 - Paid $20

SCORE!!!

Boys, Birthdays and Boston

Had a good birthday week with my boys. Although my actual birthday day was a little bit tougher to get through than I hoped. Since my Mom died, this day has held a bit of sadness to it despite how hard I try to deny it. I just miss her too much and especially on a day when I'm celebrating when she gave birth to me. I hate to say that I was not all smiles, but instead had myself a good cry at the end of the night. Still the days before the actual day were wonderful. Just still coping with not having my Mom around, which I'll probably never be okay with.

I got a yummy ice cream cake which is what my Mom used to always get me.

The boys took me shopping for boots and we didn't find any I wanted. Then we shopped for a camera instead and couldn't decide on one, ha ha. But I found the boots I want online so I'll buy them eventually - when it's even cold enough to wear them... October??

Southern California is so weird - so unlike any place I've ever lived before. The weather is awesome but for a girl who loves fall, it makes it difficult to dress like I want for much of the year. So that's why I have to go to Boston again to make the best use of my fall wardrobe. Jennie and now Beth too this time are planning another trip there in November. Can't wait for a repeat of the ridiculousness - tripled.

I made hats for us. For myself, I made a red beret. I'll post a pic of myself wearing it later after I fix my hair. It's pretty gnarly right now.

For Beth

For Jennie Ash wanted to be my model but it looks pretty different on a bigger head.

The boys started school yesterday. Everything went well. They like their teachers and their best friends were actually in the same class with them this year too. So that always makes the transition to a new grade easier. Today, neither of them even wanted me to walk with them to class. I followed Lucas anyway like a creepy stalker Mom. I told Ash that I was sad about it on our way home and he said, "Well Mom it's just you and me." And that made it all better.

Birthdays!

I love birthdays - mine, Bill's, my kids, my parents, friends, random people I meet on the street, my manicurist who seemed a little put off by how happy I was for her 21st birthday when she seemed so ho-hum about it. Every since I was a little girl, it just felt like that one special day when it's completely okay to think of myself and accept a little extra attention. And no matter how everything else is going in life, if the days leading up to the big birthday are not so good, I feel like I at least get that one day to forget it all and celebrate.

Bill thinks I'm crazy but I can actually remember every single birthday I've ever had. I think I remember my 1st birthday too but that would be too crazy right? Here are some of my birthday highlights.

1st - Sitting in a high chair and my mom putting cake on my nose
3rd - BBQ in the backyard, my best friend Bumper
6th - Disneyland
7th - Pink bicycle that matched my best friend Gina's
8th, 9th & 10th - Skating rink!!!
13th - Move to a new city and my only 3 friends in the entire city still make it an amazing day
16th - Dad drove me around the city blindfolded and had a surprise party at a restaurant with friends and family.
18th - Another new car before heading off to college. The Toyota Tercel which Bill would later smash the hood of with his ass after I just met him.
21st - Vegas
26th - 1st birthday as a Mommy
29th - Pink party!
34th - Today :)