Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Happy [Early] Halloween

Allow me to preface this with the statement that I don't cook. I can't do it. I have some sort of mental block against it. I can't boil potatoes without them getting too mushy. I can't fry bacon without starting a grease fire. I've given up altogether. My husband recently came to terms with this truth, and as a result, he now does all the cooking, which is awesome. I can chop veggies, clean dishes, serve salad, and he handles the hard stuff.

With all that said, I do occasionally get the itch to bake something. And let me tell you, as a culinarily-challenged individual, baking and cooking are two completely different animals. Baking is much more mathematical, much more precise; if you follow the recipe, your baked goods generally come out perfectly fine, edible at the very least. This week, I got one of those itches (ugh, not one of those itches - I mean the baking itch). My good friend Pinterest recommended months ago that I make adorable little sugar cookies, shaped and colored to resemble candy corn, for Halloween. I'd seen several variations, but this was the one I eventually used. Mine didn't turn out quite as aesthetically pleasing, but they are indeed perfectly fine, and certainly edible.

Candy Corn Cookies

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Sari Sunrise

Ok, so it's not really a sari (kameez? is that right?), but it does have a gorgeous sunrise look going on. I picked up this tunic at the thrift store for $3 with no clue what to do with it. I just knew it was beautiful and I had to have it.

Tunic-to-Dress Refashion - Before

Friday, October 26, 2012

Pre-Winter Warmth

We're gearing up for winter here in North Texas (or what passes for winter here). We had a lovely cold snap overnight and a predicted high of 59F/15C today. So let's talk knitting!

I recently finished a pair of socks for a friend. She's actually a knitter as well, but not the sock-obsessed kind like some people, i.e., me. There have been a couple instances now, where she has some lovely sock yarn but no desire to knit it up into socks. I don't get it. But then she gives it to me, I make her a pair of socks, and I get to keep the leftovers. So I can't complain. This time, the yarn was Jojoland Melody in a lovely green and purple colorway (color #MS08 if you care to know). I chose a pattern I've made before and absolutely loved - Cookie A's Pomatomas.

Jackie's PomatomiJackie's Pomatomi

They're interesting enough to hold my attention, but simple enough to knit while chatting. I altered the pattern to work them toe-up, my preferred method, and used a short-row heel instead of a flap and gusset. I think they turned out just lovely. I hope my friend agrees when I give them to her tonight.

Jackie's PomatomiJackie's Pomatomi

Back at the beginning of my weight loss, I put a moratorium on hand-knit sweaters for a while. There was no point investing so much time in something that might not fit when it was finally finished. Now that I am nearing my goal weight, I've allowed myself to cast on a new pullover. I've started work on Norah Gaughan's Beatnik, using Patons Classic Merino Wool in That's Pink (color #77732).

Beatnik, in Progress

So far, I'm about half-way up the front; I've finished the waist decreases and am now a few rows into the waist increases. I'm loving the cables so far, but that's really no surprise. I've always adored cables. I would marry cables if it were legal in the state of Texas. Are they not gorgeous?

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Purple People Eater

This purple, drapey tank was one of my favorites for a long time. In fact, I wore it on my birthday last year. But now, as you can see, it swallows me whole.

Purple Tank Refashion - Before

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Dress-to-Cami Refashion

October in Texas is a weird time of year. Mother Nature just can't make up her mind. It could be in the 55F/13C one day, and then it gets up to 85F/30C the next day. It's during this unpredictable season that I like to pair camisoles and tanks with cardigans and light-weight jackets that can be removed at a moment's notice. I think a crop job is just the thing to bring this too-big, too-long dress back to the front of my closet.

Dress-to-Cami Refashion - Before

Saturday, October 20, 2012

DIY Fruit Stand

I've been wanting a fruit stand for quite some time now. I'm sick of either having fruit scattered all over my kitchen counters, wasting space, or putting it all in a large bowl and having to dig for the type of fruit I want. I've seen these DIY fruit/cupcake stands on Pinterest before and thought I'd give it a go myself.

DIY Fruit Stand - Complete

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Muumuus and Shrinky Dinks

A friend has a wedding to go to on Saturday. Her husband is a groomsman, and the primary color for the wedding is royal blue. So my friend wanted some blue accessories to pair with a black and white dress to coordinate with her husband's wardrobe, a black suit with a blue vest. Enter me and this muumuu from Goodwill.

Muumuu-to-Scarves Refashion - Before

Monday, October 15, 2012

Taking It In, Part VI: Pin-Tuck It

The time has come to end this series... at least until I have more over-sized shirts to refashion and more ideas on different ways to do so. So without further adieu, I give you the grand finale - pin-tucks!

As I may have mentioned before, I loves me some orange. But not when it comes in the form of a big, shapeless shirt.

Pin-Tucked Shirt Refashion - Before

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Taking It In, Part V: Cinch It

This has always been one of my favorite tops. The color is positively lovely. The sleeves are plenty long for my ridiculous monkey arms. Unfortunately, it doesn't fit any more.

Elastic-Back Shirt Refashion - Before

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Taking It In, Part IV: Tie It

Today brings us a not-so-drastic change. This black button-up was a little large on me, but not as much as some of the others I've redone recently.

Belted Blouse Refashion - Before

Monday, October 08, 2012

Taking It In, Part III: Pleat It

Today's alteration comes in the form of pleats. Once again, I'm starting with a button-up blouse that's too large for me now.

Pleated Blouse Refashion - Before

Saturday, October 06, 2012

Taking It In, Part II: Button It

In this installment, I'm going to turn this big, blue, button-up blouse into a top-notch top!

Button-Back Blouse Refashion - Before

Thursday, October 04, 2012

Taking It In, Part I: The Basics

I so thoroughly enjoyed doing my Hawaii series, I thought I'd try another theme. I've got several button-up shirts that need to be taken in. I've spent the past couple weekends experimenting with different ways to accomplish that. We'll start out simple with this bland, boxy, white blouse.

White Blouse Alteration - Before

Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Kickin' It Old School

This top was one of my faves when I was at my heaviest. Clearly, it no longer fits. That waistband is supposed to sit on my hips, but instead it now slides right off them.

Shirt-to-Mini-Dress Refashion - Before