New Summer Top

Sunday, I had an idea for a new summer top.  The original idea, I remember from thumbing through this this book a few years ago.

And more specifically, this project.

I'm not really crazy about the granny squares crocheted into the top of this shirt so I decided to kinda make up my own.  It honestly started with the fabric...  I bought the Anna Maria Horner, Little Folks Voile 2 years ago, with the hopes to turn the less-than-a-yard that I bought, into a skirt.  

Right after I bought it, I make one french seam to turn the yardage into a tube and then I got distracted and the skirt ended there.  Voile is a lightweight mercerized cotton and it flows beautifully and I knew that it would be perfect for this project and I just so happened to have the perfect yarn, which I bought on sale at Tuesday Morning wile visiting the in-laws a while back.

It took 2 balls of this yarn for the top, mostly because of trial and error, otherwise I probably could have made it with just 1.  I gathered the top of the Voile tube, I made my own biased tape to enclose the gather, I attached the crocheted section to the fabric, then made a channel at the bottom which I enclosed a crocheted "ribbon" to gather the bottom and add a bit of detail.  I LOVE how it turned out.  I also learned a lot in the process.  Here is the result :-)

I had to add in a little something extra, but serves a huge purpose....

This is to remind which side is the back, just in case I forget what side the bottom tie goes on :-) I have an upcoming project in the works for this fabric, so hopefully I can share that soon.  

Until next time, Happy Sewing!!

Vintage Dress

2 years ago, while visiting my in-laws I found this vintage Mexican Fiesta Dress at a flea market for $18.95.

I didn't buy it and I later regretted it.  The in-laws live 3 hours away so once I was home it wasn't possible for me to just go back and get it.  To make a long story short, my MIL ended up going back to the store and buying it for me.  And if I am not mistaken, there was a sale and she ended up buying it for under $15.  My whole intention was to turn this into a skirt and last week (yes that makes 2 years later), I finally pulled it out to do just that.  Then, as I was taking pictures for this post, I realize that it just might fit me, which since it wouldn't matter if it fit or not when I converted into a skirt, I never tried it on.  Well guess what.... it fit like a glove!

So now I had a dilemma, do I keep it as a dress since it fits?  I looked at it from every angle, even possibly taking off the ruffle and converting the top into a tank-style.  

Ultimately, though, I decided to go ahead with the skirt.  Some may cringe, but for me, the dress was too formal to wear every day and that was how I wanted to wear it.  So I got out my seam ripper and removed the top.  I pleated it, Sewed in a lining (not previously lined and you could see right through the lace), and I sewed in a new zipper. It is a little roomy at the top (better that than too snug) and it is also really long, so I will just have to bust out my wedge-style flip flops :-)

I have another project in the works and is nearly done, so hopefully I will get that done soon to post.  Until then, happy sewing!

Eyeliner

When it comes to make-up, I am super picky.  I know what I like, I know what I want and I get pretty irritated when I can't find it.  Recently I have been on a hunt to find a super matte/flat black liquid eyeliner like this one.

I have been wearing liquid eyeliner for over a decade and I never get tired of it.  I have some pretty major issues with pencil liner and every time I try it out again I immediately wonder "what the heck was I thinking?" and go back to the liquid.  I have recently tried out gel eyeliner and although it would do, it still isn't my liquid.  Years ago I found a liquid liner that I liked: L'Oreal Lineur Intense Brush Tip Liquid Liner.  It has a brush applicator, which is a must for me, and the opening into the container is small so it doesn't dry out quickly and lasts a long time.  The only complaint that I can make is that once it is applied and dry, it still has a bit of a sheen.  

So yesterday I took a trip to Ulta and then Sephora to test out the liquid liners to find one that had no sheen at all.  I was looking in the designer make-up, I don't mind wearing "drug store brands" but unfortunately, they don't offer those in testers, and in the end I will actually be saving money since I don't have to buy a bunch to find out which one I am going to like.  So in case any of you are on a hunt similar to mine, here is my research:

1. Kat Von D- Autograph Eyeliner. $16.  This one was a bit goopy, not sure if that was due to the age of the sample or what, but it would be hard to get a fine line with this guy.  It was completely Matte, though.  Also, if I remember correctly, this was a brush tip, but had a thicker brush than most, which also makes a thick line.

2. Sephora Collection- Long-Lasting Eye Liner $11.  This one was also super Matte. Although I was only shopping for black, this liner came in 13 different colors.  The best part about the black was that it was offered with a felt tipped wand or a "precision tip", which is a thin brush wand.

3. Make Up For Ever- Aqua Liner $23. This one wasn't matte at all but is waterproof (which isn't a quality that want).  Also this had a felt tip applicator and that is an immediate no for me. I will say that when I washed my hand, this one was the last to wash off, and that might be positive for someone... Also comes in 15 colors.

4. Hello Kitty- Pen Pal Eyeliner $16. Yes, Sephora now carries a Hello Kitty line of makeup!!  Since I was there, thought I would give it a whirl just in case.  However, This one was almost sheer, came in only 4 colors and was (like the name indicates) a pen style applicator.  These are my least favorite because a. they have a felt tip and b. they dry out SUPER quick!!  I guess if I had a tween daughter and she wanted to experiment with liquid eyeliner, this would probably be in the running.

5. Smashbox- Limitless Liquid Liner Pen $22.  Let me first just say that I think Smashbox is a little over priced.  I have a thing for lipgloss and theirs is consistently over $20, so I tend to steer clear but for liner, it was worth a shot.  This guy is offered in only 2 colors, brown and black, is a pen applicator with a felt tip and it you look at the pic above, has a sheen.  However, it is waterproof.

6. Urban Decay- 27/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner $19.  I had high hopes for this guy...  Urban Decay seems to be my go-to brand when it comes to designer makeup but they let me down this time.  It was a great applicator, went on smoothly but has a sheen.  Also comes in 11 colors.

7. Tarte MultipleEYE Lash Enhancing Liquid Liner $22.  This is more of a performance liner, with nourishing extracts, but was worth a try.  It has more of a brush tip but comes in a pen applicator.  Only comes in black, but is described as long-wearing.

8. Pop Beauty- My One Liner $18. This was a pleasant surprise.  It went on smoothly and was completely Matte.  With a brush tip applicator, this one was perfect. It only comes in black, but that's the color I want.

9. Pop- Ink Outliner $18. I tried this one only out of curiosity. This has a huge felt tip and is a pen applicator.  It is sheer and you have no chance of a thin line with this guy. Only sold in black...  might be fun to experiment with but you can get a thick line with any of the other.

The verdict: It was between #2, the Sephora Brand and #8, Pop's My One Liner.  I ended up going with the Sephora brand because of price.  When I run out of that, I might try the Pop Brand....  although more expensive, Ulta offers coupons on a regular basis.... so it would be worth a try.  Today is the 1st day using the new liner and so far so good... it is completely Matte!!  My one complaint is more for the saleswoman than it is the product.  I specifically wanted the Precision Brush and not the felt tip and she ended up giving me the felt tip.  But I will still use it and next time I will just look a little closer! The result:

Sidenote: While looking at the L'Oreal website while writing this post, I noticed that they have a version of the L'Oreal eyeliner that I was using in "Carbon Black" that sounds Matte...  and might be worth a try!

Hope this helps some of you out there!  Happy face painting!

Lately

Last month I flew out to Las Vegas to surprise my mom for her 60th birthday.  Her party and my trip were all compliments of my Aunt.  So as a thank you I sent her a box with some goodies for herself, my Uncle and my Cousin.  Here is what I came up with.

Leather wrap bracelets are super popular right now.  I see celebs wearing them in all the style mags, Etsy has a huge selection and they are all over Pinterest.  Not to mention that I teach a class on how to make these at Urban and the classes are usually filled.  So I made 2, one for my Aunt:

... and one for my Cousin:

I recently saw these on Pinterest from this blog:

And I was inspired to make some similar pieces.  Here is the one that I thought my Aunt would like.  The bracelets in the above picture look like "bangles" and I made mine with clasps to open and although some of the others that I have been making are with the recycled sari silk, this one I made with another silk blend yarn.

Here is the 3rd bracelet that I made for my aunt.  This one is a little more funky but it is really fun to wear, mostly because it bounces and moves and almost has a life of its own.  This is crocheted wire with some new and vintage findings.  It is a double wrap with a magnetic closure so that it is really easy to put on.

As for my Uncle, I would love to have said that I made this, but I didn't.  I bought it here at the Nothing New Stitchery Etsy shop.  It is a recycled bicycle tire inner tube pouch.  I thought that it was a perfect fit, since my uncle likes to bike.

Another one of the latest crazes is Washi or Paper tape.  The tapes shown were purchased at Target.

I have to say that they are really handy, these fun decorative tapes can be used for anything.  I had some generic white boxes and decorated them with the washi tape and coordinated the card envelopes to match.

With these gifts wrapped, sent and scheduled to be delivered today, I can work on this some more....

A paint by number which is a bit of irony considering I have a fine art degree and that....  just makes my giggle :-)

That's it for now.  I have growing list of to-dos and want-to-dos....  we will see what I can get around to doing.  For now, Happy crafting!