The Bird as a Hockney

I'm taking several photography classes this semester.

It is really challenging and rewarding. 

Most people in my classes are already really good. 

I am the type who is taking the class to learn something I don't already know. 

It can be pretty discouraging because I feel really behind everyone else. 

But, put that aside, 

I am loving it! 

I especially love these two photos by Hockney...
This one

This one

This is my most recent project.

A Hockney inspired piece. 

(Click on the picture if you want a better view and better quality)

When a thousand words isn't enough.

What I love about my developing photography knowledge is that I am able to take pictures of things I love 

and 

it doesn't matter if anyone else likes it. 

But I still wanted to share with all my friends and family who keep up with this blog. 

I love you all. 

Thanks for your support and views and comments and pins and likes. 

(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

(the Mister says I use too many "!!!" and I totally agree so I am working in it...)

TMI Tuesday #34-"Whaaaa???"

TMI Tuesday:

"What does that say???"-edition

Some months ago I was driving when I saw a car with a sticker that made no sense to me at first...

The reference was pretty obscure, 

I think, 

and did not merit an entire back window car sticker of its own. 

I'd be interested in what you think:

"I drive like a Cullen" 

(Sorry, poor quality)

"Whaaaaa???"-Me

It took me a looooong time to process what it meant

 I was hardly able to capture this picture.

I've read Twilight. 

Tried to like it. 

Pretending to love it 

(so I could participate when women at church and my sisters gushed about it)

But I have come to terms with it and am totally okay with saying the following:

"Twilight is laaaaaaaaaame" 

(I won't even get into how terrible I think it is for young impressionable girls to read because I think the message it teaches is damaging)

And I am all about being a fanatic...

Have you seen my phone case?

Or my Pinterest board?

http://www.pinterest.com/starrsm/i-m-a-nerd-deal/

Fandoms I nurture:

Doctor Who

Harry Potter

Sherlock

LOTR

Disneyland

Phineas and Ferb (I know, it is Disney but deserves its own line)

Princesses

Anything Disney really

Psych

The IT Crowd (that is a new one!!)

HIMYM

Mad Men

Downton

Etc. Etc. Etc. 

I am a book worm and a Netflix-Nerd and a DisneyDork

and a proud Twilight-despiser

Um...TMI???

Thrift Shop Refashion Tips: "The Sassy Purple Pencil" and "Mommy and Me Matching Skirts"

  And the snug bum of a pencil skirt????

LOVE IT!!

Every big booty girl out there needs a pencil skirt. 

Needs one

And then....

I have been wrestling with how to present these because every project is so different when you are changing a...

Thrift Shop Ruffian 

into a 

Gem

So I decided instead of giving a tutorial I would share some of the criteria I follow when picking an item to be refashioned. 

Pick a thrift shop of your choice. 

Browse the aisles

Look for quality fabrics

Are there missing buttons?

Does the zipper work?

Are there any unforgivable stains?

Does this garment have potential?

If all the stars align and you find something good and the price is reasonable....

Snatch it up!

This skirt was $3 I think? 

And the dress $2??

Happy Sewing!!!

TMI Tuesday #33- "Awkward!" (It's a reader submit!)

 A TMI story from out in the WILD

I LOVE IT!

"Hey Lady!!

I am so proud to announce that I have my very own TMI Tuesday that I want to submit! Here goes.....

On Saturday I went to Davids Bridal with my daughter Kenzie and my friend Becca because I needed not 1 but 2 bridesmaid dresses! SO the three of us cram into a dressing room and I start taking my pants off when all the sudden I hear a very timid/confused/scared voice coming from behind me....

Kenzie: Uhmmmmm Mommy?

Me: Yes Kenzie...what's up?

Kenzie: Uhmmm I think you need to like uhmmm ask Daddy if you can buy some new panties.

Me: (Confused) Why? Whats wrong with my panties? 

Kenzie:  Well it's just that they are uhmmmm I think a little bit too small....they are like in your BUTT CHEEKS!

Me:  (Horrified...because I just realized that I am wearing a thong and how do you explain that to a four year old?) You know what baby...your right, I promise I will buy some panties that fit me very soon!

Becca:  (Literally in the fetal position on the dressing room floor trying not to pee her pants or let my tiny human know that she is laughing)

Kenzie:  Mommy it's just a big wedgie and I don't like wedgies!

AWKWARD!

LOVE

Kendra"

New scarf? DIY? $.75!!??! YES!

YAY! I am really excited to show you this easy-peasey project that is...

SUPER CHEAP

and 

SUPER FAST!

Ready????

Step 1: 

Always, always, alwaysssss check the remnant bin at any and all locations that sell fabric. I picked this beauty up at Walmart for $.74. I love the print and fluid feel of this. It is 7/8 of a yard. I don't recommend going less than that. As it is, I can only loop the scarf once but it is still perfect.

Pictured below: 

7/8yard remnant of some kind of flowy floaty fabric, perfect for a scarf of whimsy.

Step 2:

Pin the selvage edges together and throw in a seam. 

(Selvage edge means the sides that are NOT fraying. They are the edges of the fabric that any words and/or copyrights will be printed.)

I think my seam was 3/8inch or something. It doesn't really matter. 

My fabric was so slippery I decided to pin parallel to the edge. It held better. Generally I like to pin perpendicular but do whatever works for you.  

At the end of this step you should have a tube of fabric.

Step 3:

Hem the raw edges! (Raw edges are the sides that are fraying.)

You can fold and press, fold and press, and then sew to hide the raw edges. 

OR

You can use a hemming foot on the sewing machine. That is my preferred method. This is a two-state process. 

Stage 1: Feed the fabric into the twirly part of the foot

Stage 2: Continue to sew while feeding the raw edge into the twirl. This is creating a narrow-rolled hem.

See? It isn't perfect but those last few strays will disappear over time. No worries!

Now repeat on the other side and then......

IT IS COMPLETE!

YAY!!!

Thanks to Jessica for snapping these.

Jessica!