Some of my Christmas goodies.

I was such a bad girl this Christmas. 

I generally don't buy a lot of things because I don't feel the need to splurge just because of the 'tis the season' mantra going on around. I *do* however love to shop. At the mall? No. I'm not insane. I hate the mall during regular times! Why is it people always stroll in the mall and block the flow of traffic. They just slow down to the point of a crawl with their strollers and seventeen children. But I digress..

I decided to splurge on some things that I wanted just because.

I generally don't get gifts. I do an illustrated Holiday card and send it out to all my family and friends. This year I didn't get a chance to do that, so I'm gift-less to other folks. Perhaps I'll send a 'just because' card later in the year. So it's understandable that I didn't get and goodies. I did get the classic $10 in a  card from Granny. I love my Granny.


New Year's Resolutions for 2012


Now is the time where people start to reflect on the past year. You see all those retrospectives on tv, and all the crap 'these people died' montages online.

I guess I'm one of those who reflect as well. I think on all that happened this tail end of 2011 and my head reels. Finding a job, preparing to move, dancing and having fun. Getting a dog. So much stuff, good and bad has happened to me, and I guess now is the time I purge myself of what is not working and fix what I can.

With that said, I should let you all know that I'm going to surrender Taylor. I've had him for over a month now, and even when I had him the first week, I felt this was not a good fit. I tried because I don't like to give up, but I do acknowledge when something is not working. He's a different dog from my lifestyle and I'm a different owner from what he needs. He's a great dog, but he keeps 'toying' with the cat, and the cat comes first.

I can't figure out what he needs and I want him to have a happy life. He's not getting that with me. I know he will be adopted quickly. He's a great animal, so I'm not worried about his future.

Looking back on it, I think I rushed my choice. I really just wanted Georgia back. I still miss her. More so than having any dog. I guess I was not ready yet.

I also decided to purge myself of some toxic people in my life. You all remember that. It's been very cleansing, and still I have work to do on it. I guess I'm in a 'burn your bridges' state of mind. I'm sick of people dicking me over, it's my turn to cut them loose.

From there I look at this tough year and I see what I want to work on, what I want to do, and what I feel will fulfill me

  • Get better at dancing. I'm loving dancing, and I feel I can become a student of it, so I want to put more hours into it as often as I can.

  • Move from my apartment. This is in the works. I just need to find a place that suits me, and not settle for whatever I can get because I think that might be my only option. I have a habit of doing that in a lot of aspects in my life.
  • Flush out my animation reel. I've been making animation connections as best I can, and even though I have this illustration job, animation is my first love. 
  • Put together a children's book portfolio. I've met quite a few people in the children's book illustration field over the last few weeks and I want to use that. I'm going to get back to my BFA and put together a new and more polished body of children's book work.

  • Complete one of the novels I've been working on. Okay, I'm not a big writer really, but I do love a story. I've been working on and off of a fantasy story since I was sixteen. I want to finally finish it. If anyone would like to read it, I'll provide details later. I could use the feedback

  • Get a car/license. I don't drive. I really have no desire to drive, but I should learn and get a moto.

That is my personal list of self improvement. 
It's a lot to do, but I got so much done on last year's 
list that I feel I can get this one done too.

Anyone else have a list of resolutions?

Weekly Etsy Update!!

Happy Thursday before Christmas! Just wanted to tell you all about some of the new patterns I have listed in my store.

I have some 1940s great mail orders listed and more clothes to come soon!


Sewing for other people: The Mandarin Collar Dress

I hope everyone is having a splendid holiday week.
Mine is going well. Dance class, cleaning, the dog and friends. 
My Christmas plans are looking to be me grabbing a lot of junk food and just watching crappy movies. Ah, one of my favorite past times.

I don't know what has been in the water, but I have been bombarded with sewing projects! I'm making six pairs of gloves, taking a part a pair of men's pants and making a pattern from them (more on that later), and with now I'm making a dress for one of my dancing friends.

She likes the Chinese dress look from the 60s, but danceable, so shorter lenght and higher sleeves.

We went shopping for fabric in the LA Fabric district, and she picked out a lovely deep turquoise fabric with a bit of stretch. She's a petite gal, about 100lbs, so I can see why the stretch. It will make the dress formfitting as well as danceable.



Birthday Dance!


I had so much fun the other evening! That was one of the first times I've ever thrown myself a get together and I was so warmed by how many people came out to help me celebate by birthday. I had so many drinks in the waits for me! It was fantastic!

Etsy Updates Yay!!

Hello all! I just wanted to drop a line that I have a whole slew of new separates in my etsy store. Most are from the 40's and I will be listing some plus size patterns shortly.

Sewing for Others this weekend.

Happy Monday everyone.
Taylor and I are doing fine and as we get to know each other, and he gets over his cold, I think things are only gonna get better.

My guest arrives today.

I've been preparing all week! I'm so excited!!


I hope to have a name by weekend's end. Yay!!!

November Pattern Showcase!!

Good morning everyone! I hope your last month of the year is going good.
Patterns for this past November have been very precice.


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Labels

1940 (656) catalog Sunday (487) dress (408) 1930 (402) progress (216) suit (187) coat (168) repro (153) cotton (146) shoes (119) pattern (117) blouse (115) hat (112) day dress (110) 1950 (108) 1920 (104) Chicago Mail Order (99) jacket (97) etsy (94) Lane Bryant (89) WWII (87) personal (87) separates (81) butterick (78) foundation garments (75) skirt (75) gown (73) Wards (72) illustration (72) fabric (71) day project (67) cocktail dress (65) simplicity (65) vintageville (65) linen (63) nvl (63) McCall (62) pants (62) homemaking (59) sweater (57) cmo (56) music (55) accessories (54) event (54) rayon (54) dubarry (50) flower (48) house coat (48) 1930s (47) slip (47) stockings (47) playsuit (45) Sears (44) wool (44) purse (40) Spiegel (37) make and mend (37) pajamas (36) robe (36) 1960 (35) advertisement (33) apron (33) gloves (33) hollywood (33) holiday (32) catalog (31) showcase (31) buttons (30) National Bellas Hess. (28) 1940s (27) dance (27) denim (27) dust bowl (27) furniture (27) In Memoriam (26) dyeing (26) hats (26) Man Month (25) drawing (25) underpants (25) children (24) cloche (24) costume (24) overalls (24) NRA (23) navy (23) sewing (23) MnM11 (22) bra (22) men (22) sew-along (22) jewelry (20) girdle (19) giveaway (19) patterns (19) coats (18) hair (18) lace (18) nightgown (18) royalchrome (18) collar (17) craft (17) mnm12 (17) silk (17) stout (17) velvet (17) CVTotI (16) PPP (16) 1910 (15) bathing suit (15) cape (15) jacket in a week (15) lingerie (15) scarf (15) socks (15) Air Raid (14) beret (14) men's (14) quilt (14) swimsuit (14) MnM13 (13) Montgomery Wards (13) jimjams (13) loungewear (13) mail order (13) pictorial (13) repair (13) National Coat and Suit Company (12) advance (12) alteration (12) dress form (12) panties (12) rick rack (12) seersucker (12) sweaters (12) wardrobe (12) MnM14 (11) food (11) plaid (11) uniform (11) New York (10) border print (10) cicada (10) depression (10) evening gown (10) piping (10) redingote (10) the gardenia dress (10) tiki (10) 1970 (9) anne addams (9) bag (9) boots (9) cocktail (9) family (9) flapper (9) handkerchief (9) red (9) shirt (9) smock (9) underdress (9) belt (8) corduroy (8) embroidery (8) excella (8) garter (8) knitting (8) marian martin (8) pleats (8) sale (8) sleeve (8) slippers (8) toys (8) tweed (8) vogue (8) watches (8) bolero (7) brooch (7) crepe (7) design (7) halloween (7) just because (7) movie (7) novelty print (7) shopping (7) sleepwear (7) Phantom of the Opera (6) bargain (6) calico (6) classic (6) color (6) costuming (6) dicky (6) expo (6) glass (6) house dress (6) housewares (6) notions (6) restoration (6) shirtwaist (6) sick (6) ski suit (6) theater (6) zipper (6) applique (5) architecture (5) blackface (5) bloomers (5) body (5) book (5) cat (5) chambray (5) cosmetics (5) fashion (5) fur (5) furnishings (5) jacket in a week 2 (5) jumper (5) little things (5) maternity (5) mock-up (5) museum (5) necktie (5) party (5) photos (5) pimp (5) sweater dress (5) vest (5) vintage (5) winter (5) wrap dress (5) 1945 (4) 1980 (4) comments (4) dog (4) elastic (4) mary jane shoes (4) monogram (4) monster making (4) pattern making (4) pets (4) revolution (4) scallop (4) swing dress (4) tappants (4) wedding (4) 1800s (3) 1900 (3) VPP (3) WWI (3) beauty (3) books (3) bracelets (3) cookies (3) corset (3) cuff (3) darning (3) deco (3) doggie (3) ebay (3) groceries (3) lindy (3) nurse (3) outsize (3) retro (3) rings (3) sailor (3) satin (3) shirring (3) shorts (3) sporty (3) styling (3) summer (3) teaching (3) turban (3) upholstery (3) viva (3) 1990 (2) PDF (2) SAT (2) UK (2) adventure (2) beach pajamas (2) bedspread (2) beer (2) blue (2) caplet (2) cardigan (2) chair (2) cleaning (2) clock (2) comic (2) commission (2) cooking (2) couch (2) curtains (2) detail (2) diner (2) doll (2) feedsack (2) gowns (2) handmade (2) hiking (2) interview (2) kickstarter (2) lamp (2) learning (2) lucite (2) makeup (2) natural (2) nylon (2) pin-tucking (2) pique (2) playclothes friday (2) plus size (2) radio (2) raglan (2) ruffles (2) rugs (2) sequin (2) shawl (2) singer (2) slacks (2) snoods (2) stripes (2) sundries (2) superior (2) thrift (2) two-tone (2) umbrella (2) wearing history (2) woman (2) women (2) workwear (2) year (2) yellow (2) yoke (2) ADSLA (1) Brian (1) Casts of Color (1) Facebook (1) Hart Schaffner n Marx (1) Lady Day (1) Promotion (1) Rowman's (1) San Francisco (1) Steampunk (1) apple (1) articles (1) atomic (1) awards (1) baby (1) bakelite (1) baking (1) ball gown (1) bar (1) barettes (1) baseball (1) batman (1) bead (1) bed (1) berthas (1) bike (1) birthday (1) black people (1) blogs (1) bonnet (1) braces (1) breeches (1) brushes (1) burda (1) cameras (1) candy (1) canned goods (1) chiffons (1) christmas (1) closet (1) cloth (1) cosplay (1) custom (1) decorating (1) diamonds (1) disaster sewing (1) dishes (1) drawers (1) dressing gown (1) drinking (1) drop waist (1) fagoting (1) fat people (1) felt (1) flannel (1) flocking (1) flooring (1) fonts (1) footware (1) fruit (1) gadgets (1) glasses (1) godet (1) gold (1) grading (1) guest comments (1) gusset (1) halter (1) hints (1) history (1) hood (1) hosiery (1) household (1) hygiene (1) instructions (1) jewels (1) kitchen (1) landmark (1) lawn (1) masks (1) mensturation (1) mid-century modern (1) mirror (1) misses (1) muppet (1) necklace (1) needle (1) notches (1) office attire (1) oilcloth (1) pandemic (1) patternbook (1) pearls (1) pen (1) pictures (1) pins (1) plants (1) plus fours (1) pocket (1) portraits (1) puppet (1) raincoat (1) recreation (1) refashion (1) ric rac (1) sash (1) savings (1) sci-fi (1) serger (1) shades (1) sharkskin (1) sheets (1) silhouette (1) skit (1) standard (1) star trek (1) store (1) suspenders (1) swagger (1) swing (1) table (1) tablecloth (1) teen (1) textles (1) thermal underwear (1) thread (1) tips (1) toiletries (1) tools (1) tote (1) tour (1) travel (1) tv (1) twill (1) type (1) underware (1) veil (1) video (1) vintage outing (1) virginia (1) wallet (1) white (1) writing (1) yay (1)