Phew

The Easter picture season is all done and over and I am overjoyed. Now I can get back to working on my own projects.

I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce two new members of the family. A little back story first.

For the past 5 weeks or so the studio where I work had Easter bunnies available for pictures. Horrible idea, kids and bunnies are not generally a good mix especially if you throw in an inattentive parent who lets their kid run wild with little to no discipline. If the job market wasn't so bad I would have quit due to this gross exploitation of these gentle creatures. I stuck it out though, became super protective of the little guys, educated parents and children about proper handling and care of rabbits. Then the night before Easter finally came came, marking their retirement and the beginning of a better life with me and the boy.

{Helping the boyfriend fix the cage}

We are working on renaming them at the moment. I like to think of it as a witness protection program for rabbits.

{The unnamed bun}



{Sir Byron Bunnicula VonBunnington}

They seem pretty happy with their new, quite, child free environment. Took them to the vets today to make sure they're in good health, which they are. Talked to the vet about getting them neutered, got an estimate which made me cringe and I am now in the process of trying to figure out a way to afford the cost of the surgeries. I'll make sure it gets done, it just may take a bit longer than I had originally expected. At least they're happier now and I no longer worry about how they're being treated when I'm not around.

{The End}

You know...

All this work is cramping my style.

That's about all I have to say. No real progress has been made since my last post due to my recent surge in work hours and it seems like that will be the trend until Easter. I guess it's a good thing, I'll have rent money at least.

Oh well.

Pleats me

For your viewing pleasure I now present you new look 6868 - a work in progress. No before pictures, sorry :(

{Tie Detail}

Last post I was complaining about my latest project and the sack like qualities it had. I didn't want to have this project turn out as a bust, so all I could do was try to make it work.

I deemed the problem to be the mid weight fabric I was using. The pleats at the collar just weren't laying down as nicely as I would have hoped for. After doing some general fussing around in the mirror I decided to sew those suckers down. A second later I had tossed the shirt on my home made dress form and began basting the pleats in place, down to about my waist. I tried on the shirt again and it seems to have made quite the difference in the fit of the shirt. However, I think I need to continue the pleats further down on the shirt due to their extreme puffiness.

{ Far away}

{Close up puffiness and loose threads}

It is starting to look more presentable, looks much better on me than on my dress form, but it still needs more work.

*sigh*...

New shirt or bust?

As I am posting this I'm in the process of making my new shirt for work, work for me. When I first thought about making some shirts from work I was thinking about using some knit fabric that I had with simplicity 3790. Later I remembered that fabric had been set aside for a specific non-sewing related purpose. No sweat I thought, I'll just use some different fabric and pattern. The pattern I used was New Look 6868 view D.

Initially I was really drawn to the tie detail. However, after completing it I was left with a big sack like shirt that had a tie.

{Artist's Rendition}

The fabric that I used was a mid-weight cotton blend, which I think attributed to the sack like look of the shirt. The pleats along the collar don't drape as nicely as they should. So here I am, taking a brief break from my attempt to restyle this shirt. So much for having a new work shirt for tomorrow, maybe later in the week.

Now for something completely different

I've been seeing this quiz posted a lot so I figured why not jump on the band wagon.

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Audrey!

You are an Audrey -- "I am at peace"

Audreys are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.

How to Get Along with Me

• If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure


• I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this


• Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit


• Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally


• Ask me questions to help me get clear


• Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery


• Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings


• I like a good discussion but not a confrontation


• Let me know you like what I've done or said


• Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life

What I Like About Being an Audrey

• being nonjudgmental and accepting


• caring for and being concerned about others


• being able to relax and have a good time


• knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around


• my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator


• my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now


• being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe

What's Hard About Being an Audrey

• being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive


• being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline


• being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally


• being confused about what I really want


• caring too much about what others will think of me


• not being listened to or taken seriously

Audreys as Children Often

• feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant


• tune out a lot, especially when others argue


• are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves

Audreys as Parents

• are supportive, kind, and warm


• are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

For a two question quiz its not bad, I can't really argue with the results with the exception of

* Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery

I don't know how to handle compliments on my personal looks, so I'd prefer not to get any at all, especially comments from strangers at the bus stop. However, feel free to compliment what I'm wearing if it's something I made.


In sewing news I've cut out the pieces for my new work shirt and did some prep work (basting) yesterday night. I changed my mind as to the pattern I was going to use, but I'll post my reasons why in my next post.

That is all for now, take care