Around the House: Studio Days

I've been spending a lot of time in my upstairs studio lately. Last minute tweaks and revisions are happening and it's almost time for me to spill the beans about why I've been so absent around these parts lately. There is a hint in the image above. I shall say nothing more - mum is the word.

I'm so grateful for my studio. The sunlight pours in and it's large enough to accommodate a wrestling mat for my crazy boys. Gotta keep it real y'all. Boys will be boys and as much as I'd love for them to sit down with me and "make something", they would so much rather be wrestling or throwing the basketball off the balcony in hopes of it swishing through the net. Their giggles keep me company and I wouldn't have it any other way. (most of the time)

Thanks for sticking around and being patient while I sporadically pop in and out. Happy Summer Monday. xo

Around the House: Making Room

It's Monday again, which sucks because yesterday pretty much felt like a Monday too. No bueno. It's one of those days where you were so busy the day before that you end up sending your children to school with cold hotdogs, no bread, and actually feel good about it because, "at least it was a hotdog with zero nitrates." Please tell me you've been there.

Yesterday was rainy and gross, so instead of going to the grocery store, I opted for finally (said with a deep sigh and eye rolling) cleaned out the spare room upstairs. It had remained our dumping ground for all things we didn't quite need to unpack yet... scrapbooks, photo albums, old tax documents, etc. You can see why they remained unpacked and really low on the totem-pole of my "to do" list. But I am overjoyed for the reason we suddenly needed to tackle said dumping ground. We are turning it into a sewing studio. I told you guys we are working on something really exciting and this is part of it. Now I just have to decide on the layout and other essentials. Desk against the wall? Floating? Rug? No rug? Storage? Displays? Inspiration Boards?

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It's all so very exciting. Here's the kicker...I'm trying to get this studio up and running, while spending zero dollars. Think I can do it? xo

top image via solid frog

Brickyard Buffalo + Pure and Noble

What happens when a buffalo falls in love with my bibs? Sweet deals. Today thru Sunday you can score my bibs over at Brickyard Buffalo for a steal! Happy Valentine's Day!

BRICKYARD BUFFALO + PURE AND NOBLE = SWEET DEALS

And... We're Open for Business!

Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Why is it that the most exciting moments in life seem to take forever to arrive? After a lot of prep and sewing, the shop is finally up with just a few goodies!

We will be adding a lot more stuff over the new couple of weeks. Now that it's made, there's the shooting, editing, listing, etc. I can't wait to show you guys more!!! Until then, we'll be trick or treating, eating our weight in candy corn and bite-size candy bars, and taking expanding our belts a notch or two. 

I'm looking forward to getting my hands on some peanut butter cups. What's your favorite Halloween Treat? xo

NEW - Sewing Classes

Hey all you Dallasites! Pure and Noble is now offering sewing classes. If you've always wanted to learn how to sew or if you already know how, but just need to brush up on a few skills, we've got the class for you. Check out my new sewing class page in the header above for more details! xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Baggy Fit

Five bucks for a pair of jeans is typically something I can't pass up - if they have potential or already fit great. This pair hit the mark - straight leg, comfy, cheap. The trifecta! I knew all I'd have to do is tighten the leg a bit and they'd be great.

1. wash jeans, turn inside out and iron
2. put jeans on and mark where they are baggy with either a fabric marker of straight pins

4. put jeans on machine and line needle up with the existing stitch on jeans

5. using the line markers on your sewing machine, guide your jeans from your top mark (hip), sewing gradually wider to make the leg tighter

6. sew from the existing seam out to marker 4, 5 or 6 (however much you need to take up) and then gradually back to the existing seam at your bottom (calf) marker

7. turn jeans right side out and try on (if the bulk is reduced and you're pleased with the fit... you're done! otherwise remark and remove more bulk following the above steps again, taking leg in more

8. trim seam if necessary or just press with iron

Much better and no super tight thigh lines under the butt or butt-crack sightings! That's a double win. At 40, I don't think my jeans need to be so tight that you can see my thigh cheese or so lose that I look frumpy. These jeans are now a perfect fit and I love em dressed up or down. 

I was recently told by my friend Shon that she had to break up with skinny jeans and boot cut. Say it ain't so! What's your favorite cut? xo

Baby Gear

Let's face it, when a new baby comes into the picture you need some gear. This especially applies if it's a first born. Since my friend Allison of Design from A to V is expecting her first, I thought it only appropriate for her to have a diaper bag worthy of more than just diapers. I mean, this lady is pretty hip so I can't have her toting diapers, burp clothes and organic baby food in just any old bag. I know Alli loves triangles; so I decided an ombre nod to this classic shape was in order.

Before delivering the bag to my sweet friend, I filled it with some essentials...

baby links - to chew, connect and to attach snacks and bottles to the stroller

organic baby wipes

lansinoh - a must for all nursing mommies and mothers of thumb suckers (I give this to all new mommies. It is a miracle ointment for all sorts of cracks and ouchies.)

babytalk magazine with tips for new mommies (you know, for all that downtime she'll have)

Do you have any gear that you give to all your first time mommy friends? xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Pocket Pucker

As an avid thrifter, I've become numb to the minor imperfections I find in clothes, accessories and home goods. Most of the time those little imperfections are what make me like the item all the more. But when it comes to jeans... they've gotta fit well.

I've had a pair of Old Navy white slim leg jeans in my closet for years. They have a stretch to the fabric which makes them really comfy (and also promotes the occasional butt crack sighting when not worn with a belt). The down side to this $5.00 steal? Unsightly pocket pucker. Ick. Since Spring is here, I figured I'd finally fix these bad boys and show you how to do it yourself.

 First - press your pockets so that they are really flat

 Next - pin your pockets shut (yeah, shut. you still have your back pockets so it'll be ok - promise)

Tip - find a thread that most closely matches the stitching on your jeans. When I'm at estate sales I grab a bag or two of thread if the price is right. You never know when you'll need that awkward ochre shade.

Next - stitch the pocket down with your machine on top of the pocket topstitch (go slow to get the curve just right)

Lastly - snip your loose thread and enjoy... pucker free! (if you want to remove the inside pocket bulk, you can cut it off since they're really faux pockets now)

Bam! Pocket pucker be gone. I'm so glad I finally did this. They fit great now and it took all of 30 minutes (max). Next week I'll show you how to take a straight leg to a skinny jean.

I know a lot of ladies stay away from the white (shows everything) jean. Do you dare? xo

If You Build It...

Currently my "office" is in yet another state of transformation (read also, disarray). I can't seem to get it right, my to my husband's dismay. Of upmost importance is the placement of the desk - everything hinges upon this. Get that right and everything else seems to fall into place. I want my "office"/craft room/sewing room to be a place that gets me excited. One that inspires. 

craft focus

specified sewing section

shelving above desk

two sided

But, I also want my littles to be in there with me at times. So this begs the question, is this a "if you build it they will come" type of thing. Currently they aren't too big on crafting - unless you count legos and cars as crafting. Every time they break out the markers or crayons, there is a renewed hope that springs up within me.

desks for the littles

What say you? A shared space that invites my littles in and provides a space for them to create? Or make it mine all mine - muwaah ha ha ha? (They do have their own playroom after all.) xo

*first image 

Snip, Snip, Snap!

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Confession...I'm kind of in love with the army vest. And since, I don't see it cooling off in Texas anytime soon, I figure this pieces is a gonna be a wardrobe staple come Fall. However, at prices soaring into the hundies ($100) for one of these babies, I also didn't see it making it's way into my closet anytime soon. So I've been on the hunt for months at the thrift stores for an army jacket that I can snip into a creation of my own. Guess what??? Finally found one for $3.00.

I snipped off her little arms, pressed, pinned, stitched and voila...my perfect (and thrifty) Fall vest.

 (please excuse my very blurry and oh so crappy images.)

Check out Miss Kelly takin' it to a whole new level by layering it with a jacket. Sooo cool.

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Tee hee hee...I love it when things turn out so unexpectedly well. Yay! The hubs will be taking Senior photos of my SIL next week, hopefully I can get him to snap a few decent one of me in the vest while he's at it. (wink. wink.) xo