Sewing a Kay Whitt Skirt!

I started this week intending to get so much done.  I have...but not the stuff on my list.  I've had to attend to the other stuff that creeps ahead of all that you want to do, and prevents the kind of productivity that makes me happy. Today was a classic example. This morning, I laid down in a dentist chair for 4 hours. All that dental work that I had been putting off since last summer, I finally didn't have an excuse that I would be out of town, that deadlines were looming near, or that I ran out of FSA or that I couldn't arrange for someone to watch the kids that long.  Everything lined up, and I was at the mercy of my dentist for as long at the work would take. Good news...it's now done...and over with.  Bad news...I'm way behind on my blog post, cleaning my craft room, and working on some fun new projects that are about to burst out of my head, and I have two aching teeth despite all the work that was done. (no fault of the dentist...just my mouth over reacting to the crazy construction work that was performed within today.)

Okay...onto the good stuff.  It's BLOG HOP time again!  Yeah!  My team has been working hard and they are ready! I think we have a full house...that means LOTS of inspiration for you! Also, I have exciting news...we have a new addition to our team. Many of you may know her already, or are familiar with her crafting style. May I present to you, the fabulous, Jimmi Mayo...she is one heck of a talented lady and she has stepped in to replace Katherine Bley. Katherine stepped down to attend to family matters and we wish her the very best, and are sad to see her go.  

Okay...onto my project to start off the hop...it comes with a story....a continuation with my CHA experiences, and it really does have to do with the project I'm sharing with you this month. For those of you who attended the show, you will know that we shared the convention center with an unlikely group of people...many who were quite opposite of the crafting bunch. The Body-building and Fitness expo was going on at the same time as CHA...just a hallway separated our two shin-digs.  

From my hotel, I had to walk down from the side of the hall where the Body Builders and fitness gurus lined up waiting to get into their event. Many of which were wearing all black, with multiple tattoos and piercings, spiky hair-dos, and scruffy faces...not that there's anything wrong with that...it was just that it was such a contrast to many of the ladies on the other side of the convention center with their quilted jackets, and knitted themed sweaters, and colorful home-sewn bags, and all the other creative paraphanilia that goes with the crafting crowd.  

So as they were waiting to get into their event...I walked down the hall in my home-sewn skirt made in my fabric that is florescent pink, with brown ruffles, multi colors, and a ruffle rosette. I would hear snickers and comments like, "what is she wearing?" or "you've got to be kidding me..." "whoa...need my sunglasses...that is BRIGHT." or similar sniggerous remarks.  However, as I approached home turf where the crafters were gathering, I heard comments like, "how cute." "do you think she sewed that herself?" and my favorite, "oh, I love that fabric." Both sets of comments made me smile, I have a sense of humor, and the whole thing was rather humorous.

Now unfortunately, the photos dull down the effect fabric--especially when you don't have proper lighting when taking pictures...but just know that the fabric is bright. VERY bright! It is fun, it is cheerful and it makes me happy, regardless what anyone might say about it. I'm proud of my skirt...it is literally the 3rd thing I've sewn for myself, and the first thing I've sewn for myself in about a decade.  I had so much fun, that I definitely will be trying more patterns out soon.  I encourage you who are new to sewing...TRY it out!  It's a blast, and the rewards of making something yourself are indescribable!

This pattern comes from the ingenious designer Kay Whitt. Her book called: Sew Serendipity is a brilliant effort to simplify a bunch of patterns into a series of base patterns that can be modified slightly for a completely different look.  Her techniques are totally approachable for the beginner and I appreciate that she has photos of just about every step that you will have to take in completing your project. The book is a bargain considering how many patterns are included with the book. I am not affiliated with Kay, I have met her, I know that she is a talented lady and I'm happy to promote something that I think is fabulous!  Kay, you rock!

This last photo is here...sheerly for the purpose of showing off the sassy pair of Delman shoes, that I couldn't bring to CHA.  I would have loved to have worn them with the skirt...but heels are insane at a show like that. You are literally on your feet all day...and there is a lot of walking involved.  So I brought what I thought was a smarter choice. Some suede wedge loafers...seemed sensible to me, right? But I was wrong...OH SO WRONG! My advice to you...now that I know...never ever bring a pair of shoes to CHA that you haven't tested on your feet for at least a whole day of active walking. The shoes I chose were probably more brutal than the heels ever would have been. I paid for wearing them in a sum of 5 blisters on the toes of each foot, that are still in the process of heeling. Okay...silly I suppose. But I just know that there are other shoe lovers out there who would appreciate a good shoe story.