Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Sunday Sew-Day: Cobalt Blue, Part VI

So here's the thing. Sunday Sew-Day happened right on schedule. Unfortunately, my photograhusband has been MIA during daylight hours for the past couple days with pre-holiday work stuff. So today we get to play catch-up, cool?

This weekend I picked up a super-soft, super-huge jersey dress in that beautiful blue I've been harping on for weeks now. (I swear, this is it and then I'll move on, k?) This 2XL piece cost me only $3 and is going to make an awesome maxi skirt. Every time I wear a maxi skirt, I think, "Wow, this is comfy. I should wear these more often." And then I inevitably fall back into my jeans-wearing ways. But this time it'll be different. This time I'll change. I promise, baby, I can change.

Cobalt Blue Maxi SkirtCobalt Blue Maxi Skirt

Thursday, December 19, 2013

This is not the post you're looking for...

That's right, folks. There is no Thursday Thrift Score this week, for a couple reasons.
(a) Have you ever noticed how frustrating it can be when you go thrift shopping with a specific item in mind? Say, for instance, you're looking for something in a lovely cobalt blue that needs no alterations? Yeah, that's tricksy.
(b) I've been suffering from a minor case of The Plague this week. Okay, so maybe it's not The Plague, but there were certainly times I wished I were dead. Anywho, I'm on the mend now, but you still won't be seeing any pictures of my face today. I don't want to frighten anyone's children.

So what's your consolation prize? Why, it's a bonus refashion! Picture this: I'm all tuckered out from an evening of clothes swapping at the Fabulous Ladies Clothes Swap last month. I'm hanging with my theater friend back stage while her crew boxes up the leftovers for charity, when someone grabs this stringy bit of who-knows-what and aims for the trash bin.

"Wait!" I exclaim. "Is that suede?"

"Uh, maybe. I dunno. It's broken though."

"Gimme."

And with that, I saved this damaged braided leather belt-thingy from an unceremonious end. And I knew just what to do with it! I grabbed some jewelry pliers, a couple jump rings, some ribbon crimps, a clasp, and a safety pin, and I got started.

Suede Belt to Jewelry Refashion

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Sunday Sew-Day: Cobalt Blue, Part V

This past week was ridiculously hectic at work, and The Dude and I are celebrating our wedding anniversary this weekend. So you guys get a small-change-big-impact refashion today. This blouse came from the clothes swap I attended last month. It was baggy and unflattering. It wasn't labelled as a maternity shirt, but it certainly could have been. But cobalt blue AND polka dots? Sign me up!

Cobalt Polka Dot Blouse

Cobalt Polka Dot Blouse

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Thursday Thrift Score: Cobalt Blue, Part IV

So there I was, meandering through the aisles of my nearest thrift shop, when I spotted this little sliver of raw silk in that to-die-for shade of blue I've been craving lately. It was peaking out from between some acid-washed 80's mom jeans and a pair of wildly patterned parachute pants which I'm pretty sure were part of Screech's wardrobe on the set of Saved by the Bell. My hand went straight for the sumptuous silk as if I had no control over its movements. I removed the hanger from the rack and ran my fingers over the folds of the fabric. The tide of refashion ideas was stemmed upon noticing the tag. Gasp! My size! I rushed to the fitting rooms and slipped into the luxurious legs. Ooo, the shimmer! Ah, the pockets!

Cobalt Blue Silk SlacksCobalt Blue Silk Slacks

Although I don't think it was the intent of the original designer, these slacks have become trendy ankle pants on my long legs. And hey, when ankle pants fall out of vogue again, I can always hem them up to capris or refashion them entirely!

Cobalt Blue Silk SlacksCobalt Blue Silk Slacks

Sunday, December 08, 2013

Sunday Sew-Day: Cobalt Blue, Part III

When I decided to focus on cobalt blue for a while, it occurred to me that I had the perfect dress already in my closet and begging to be made over. I got this dress half-way through my weight loss for... maybe $7 or $8 on the clearance rack at TJ Maxx (yeah, that's how frugal I am. I'm not even a full-price Maxxinista). I loved how its jersey fabric hugged my ever-shrinking curves, but the loose ruffly tiers still hid any not-so-flattering bulges. Fast forward to today, and it clearly does more hanging than hugging.

Cobalt Blue Dress into Tank and ScarfCobalt Blue Dress into Tank and ScarfCobalt Blue Dress into Tank and Scarf

Thursday, December 05, 2013

Thursday Thrift Score: Cobalt Blue, Part II

As I'm sure you've guessed by now, I loves me some tank tops and sleeveless shirts. They're perfect for summer here in Texas (the majority of the year) and can easily be layered with a jacket or cardigan in the cooler months (or maybe that's just the cooler month, singular). So, as you can probably imagine, I have amassed a sizable cardigan collection. Or at least I had when I was overweight, and now I'm working on building it back up. And that's where this beauty comes into play!

Cobalt Cardigan

In my wardrobe, as well as in my home decor, I often rely heavily on neutrals and then incorporate a strong pop of color. I feel like this technique stretches my closet further, makes for more outfit combinations, but maybe I'm just making that up. Either way, I'm loving the black, white, and blue combo recently.

Cobalt Cardigan

Sure, it's 100% acrylic, but, with circulation like mine, who needs breathability? And sure, the plastic fake-pearl coating is flaking off a couple of the buttons, but if I have to replace them after a few washes, I'd still count this $2 sweater in the win column.

Cobalt Cardigan

Wednesday, December 04, 2013

Skullcracker

I am pleased as punch to present to you my newest knitting pattern, the Skullcracker cap! You can find the FREE pattern in the Winter 2013 issue of Knitty.

Skullcrusher Hat

It's available in four sizes, from infant to adult large.

Skullcrusher Hat

And you can choose the solid-colored or two-colored version.

Skullcrusher Hat

The best part? Hats work up super quick for great holiday gifts!

Skullcrusher Hat

Happy knitting!

Sunday, December 01, 2013

Sunday Sew-Day: Cobalt Blue, Part I

With my black and white wardrobe beefed up, I think it's time to move on to some color! Namely, the beautiful cobalt blue I've been seeing a lot these days. Blue has always been one of my favorite colors. I am so ready to jump on this bandwagon! I picked up this super-sexy polyester blouse a few months back.

Cobalt Tank Top

One cuff was missing a button, and the other cuff was missing entirely.

Cobalt Tank Top

Add to that some pretty rockin' shoulder pads and a zebra-stripe-esque tone-on-tone texture that is as close as I get to wearing animal print.

Cobalt Tank Top