happy independence day

check list

too many blogs...not enough time

ever since i started sewing, i've been hooked on a lot of blogs that give me inspiration, ideas and tutorials. every day i would check over 20 sewing/craft blogs and websites. i spent way too much time every single day looking at them, but then discovered google reader. it helps me organize all the sites i like and will let me know if there any new posts. i can now check each blog/website on google reader instead of going to each one separately. i can also "star" the posts that i want to come back to or archive. now my list of 20 blogs has increased to....way too many to count, but it's so much more convenient to look at google reader.

google reader recommends sites to view based on what you subscribe to. i recently subscribed to a few blogs of fashionable ladies who take pictures of themselves wearing outfits that they put together.

Anthroholic

Blooming Leopold Vintage

Kendi Everyday

Orchid Grey

The Snail and the Cyclops

it's not like they made their own clothes (some have), but they're modeling clothes that are from jcrew, anthropologie, gap, etc. some model vintage clothes. i was surprised and hooked. i'm now a subscriber and are getting "tips" on how to dress and accessorize. i need help in this area. i'm horrible at color coordinating outfits.

craft sale/swapmeet

a couple of ladies at church participated in the craft sale to raise funds for the czech team. i made a few things that turned out pretty good and some that made me want to scream from the frustration. in the short amount of time, i made an apron, 3 sets of coasters, a bag, couple of drawstring pouches and card/coin holders.


this past weekend, i went to goldenwest college for their weekly swapmeet. i only walked away with 1" white elastic (5 ft long) for $1. serious score! i usually find fabric and some other things, but there wasn't much to choose from this time around. i saw quite a few sewing machines (more than usual), all in working condition. the old singer machine attached to the table was $125. i really wanted the red lantern, but didn't think that i needed it. people sell random things at the swapmeet. i found a table with a bunch of star wars toys, a box full of matchboxes and a guy selling african masks.

on sunday, a group of girls went to the long beach flea market. i ended up not buying anything. i really wanted a few things, but my wallet and conscience didn't allow me. i saw the red lantern again, but walked past it. maybe if i see it for the 3rd time, i might just buy it.

zippers

been sewing a lot more lately, getting ready for the czech fundraiser craft sale.

zippers are not my friend....we haven't been getting along well lately, but i can't live without them. i need them for dresses, skirts, pouches and various sewing projects in the works. i started a sewing class a few weeks ago at cypress college again. a very nice lady offered to pay for my class so that i can take it for free. last night, i learned an easier way to add a zipper. hooray! seriously, it was so darn hard lately and what should have taken just an hour or so took almost the whole afternoon. i think i unravel more than i actually get any sewing done.

here's a few things that i've done so far:

quilt for the living room (working progress)

quilted coaster (finished a set of 4)

zipper pouch

 baby bib and pouch (baby shower gift)

i've also been thrift shopping more. goodwill is a tad too expensive lately so i've been going to the lincoln thrift store, salvation army and rewear warehouse. they have the best deals that i've seen. the lincoln thrift store has 50% off 3 color tags usually once a month (fri/sat). the salvation army had a really good deal - 10 clothing items or more for $2/each. rewear warehouse has 50% off everything (except vintage) on wed, 30% off 2 color tags every day and 30% off everything (except vintage) on sat and sun. right now, i have a lot of fabric and clothes, but if anybody wants to donate to my pile, let me know.

some sewing projects so far....

  

small tote

slouch bag (fabric from thrift store)

skirt with elastic band (1 yard of fabric)

this is a dress i worked on during the summer (this took some time to finish b/c i kept messing up the lining and having to adjust the size b/c we didn't fit the pattern properly), still need to adjust the size on the sides and shoulders a little bit

dress i made in the fall during my sewing class (didn't add the straps in time for julie's wedding and haven't touched since last year, will have to add soon if i want to wear it again)

these are just a few of the sewing projects i've completed (somewhat). i'm working on a quilt for our living room (stay tuned for that). i've been on a thrift store kick lately and have found some great items for a cheap price. because of this, i've been collecting lots of fabric and clothes which i need to sort through and organize. i've been hoarding my old clothes hoping to turn things into something else.

thankfulness

haven't been able to update...not sure what to say.

only one word comes to mind - thankfulness. thankfulness for God's grace, for His faithfulness, for the gospel that saved me and brings me eternal joy and hope, for my family, for my church family, dear friends (old and new) and so much more to mention. the Lord has been very gracious in giving me strength to endure what was the most difficult event in my life to this day. although grief is something that i haven't truly experienced until this past december and i'm still not sure how to cope, but He continues to be faithful to His promises - to always be with me, to be the God of all comfort. i think the best thing to come out of this tragedy is my parents. i've seen them grieve and have seen them leaning towards God. i'm glad that they were able to see the love my church poured upon our family and they long to have that which helped them to seek out a church body of their own. i'm praying not that the Lord would make our lives a little easier, but for even more opportunities to trust in Him more.