My First Dress :)

As promised... pics of my first dress...

Now, full disclosure here, this dress is actually three pieces that I chopped up and put back together.

Before becoming a dress it was a white tank top, a fabric remnant and a too big dress with a built in bra from sample sale. (I mention the bra because I actually used the elastic band from it to cinch the waist.)

And just so you can get the full effect of the fun, swingy circle skit here's a pic of just how much fabric I used for the bottom.

You know what I love most about it? It's so comfy! And simple to wear. I paired it with flip flops and a layered coral necklace from a wedding I was in (congrats again, Mr. and Mrs. Swenson!), and that was it. I was out the door!

Thrify calendar

In my last post, I mentioned sample sale.

Sample sale is an amazing day. I work for large retailer and once a year, there's an associate-only sale to clear sample, left over and returned merchandise as well as store decor and fixtures.

It's in a ginormous warehouse and it's AMAZING!

Most item are purchased by the bagful (that's right, one flat price per bag) and larger items are individually priced. So, last summer, when I was in new house mode, I bought a rediculous number of picture frames. I was CERTAIN I would need every one.

And here I am, more than one year later and I have used exactly one frame.

This one:

This was a super simple project. Spray the frame white (might need another coat now that I look at this picture) and paint the back of the art that was in it blue to match the walls of the great room. (Literally, I used the wall paint.)

Now, I just use a wipe-off marker to update the calendar monthly.

This wall is far from complete, though. I'd like to add a ribbon to the top of the calendar so it looks like it's hanging and a few other things to brighten up the space.

But, for now, this will do.

Secrets to successful sewing

Turn on the air purifier in your baby's room.

(It is louder than the sewing machine.)

That is all.

Pics to come. Promise.

A public service announcement

My birthday is one month from today.

If you're planning on purchasing me a gift for surviving another year on this planet, may I offer a few suggestions?

1. A serger -- used will do. (Mr. Craig List has options occasionally.) If you buy this for me, I will make you something with a serged seam. I know this doesn't seem (no pun intended) like a big deal, but if you look at the seams and hems on your shirt they have been created by a serger. An amazing, miraculous serger.
2. A milk glass cake stand. Milk glass readily available at the Goodwill, but I can't seem to find a cake stand... which, of course, means I want one desperately.
3. And while we're on the subject of things found at the Goodwill and other thrifty places, I want a milk can with either a lid that removes OR no lid. I plan to use it for a craft project -- so the cheaper the better.
4. To be preggo. Right now, my husband isn't really willing to have another baby, so if you'd like me to carry yours (in my uterus, I mean), I am sure we could work something out.
5. Two days of uninterrupted time as the only human being in my house. With this time I would: photograph all the items not sold in our garage sale and send them to Mr. Craig List, buy a file cabinet so I can organize the loft and make it into my sewing room, take a trunk load (or two) of stuff to the Goodwill, go on a run, go shopping for clothes, go shopping for fabric, sew things for myself, pee alone, vacuum the upstairs (which is virtually impossible b/c one of the men in my life is always asleep up there)...get the picture?

But most of all, really and truly most of all, I want to spend time with friends and family. I want to laugh 'til I cry and eat cake and take pictures of everyone around me so that we'll never forget our twenties and get a kiss from my baby boy and kiss from my hubby.

and a serger. i really want a serger.

Where I'm from

I was born in Bellaire, Ohio.

Never heard of it? Not surprised.

Curious? It's here. (Right on the border of Ohio and West Virginia.)

And this weekend we had a family wedding. A good excuse for a road trip.

But, more importantly, a reminder of where I'm from.

And that I'll always love the hills of Ohio.

And that there's always time for riding a John Deere.

And sitting on a porch swing.

And admiring hibiscus.

And posing for pics that show three generations.

Congrats to Rachel and Travis... and thanks for reminding my why I need to come back and visit more often.