My Newest Project and Happy Holidays!

You need to look closely to see the brown panel but it is there.  I couldn't get the lighting right!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

     I hope this long awaited blog post finds everyone happy, healthy, and enjoying family and friends. 

I’ve been working on a project but it has been a while in coming to you.  Now that Christmas vacation is here I have a little time to sew.   I’ll get right to it.  Here was the inspiration.  I just loved the look of this.

 I decided to start with a cream colored t-shirt that I already owned.

I just cut it off under the arms and reshaped the neckline.  Then,  I had to reset the sleeves to adjust the fit. Because the original shirt was a v-neck, the neckline had to be a little deeper than the picture.

Here it is before I added the brown panel.  It still is not totally fit or pressed here.  Because I dropped the neckline, the panels will not be the exact same proportion as the picture, but it will give me the same feeling.

I will accessorize and model it in a future post! Later :) Mary

A Refashion From My Closet

     I needed a creative fix and a diversion from cleaning and doing report cards.  So, I searched through my closet and to my horror, one of my favorite t-shirts had a hole in the hem!

     NOOOOOO!  I was ready to throw it away when I realized I could just change it into a dress with the bottom of another t-shirt.  I had a brand new black t-shirt that was from my son's baseball team and never worn.  It did the trick nicely.  I just cut off the offending hem from the striped shirt, then added the bottom of the black t-shirt.  I can wear it as a dress with black tights and stack heeled loafers for work, or with black leggings and ballet flats for casual.  I feel women in their 50's can wear leggings providing the top totally covers the "behind."  I wouldn't be caught dead with them otherwise!

After!

Before clipping off the hole and adding the bottom

Simple fix and my favorite "T" has new life!

Jewelry Makeover

I know!  I know! It has been forever.  However: 28 third graders, parent conferences, impending report cards,  and mind blowing changes to the educational standards will do that to a blogger. So now I do however have a little jewelry makeover to share.

I originally made this as a charm bracelet.  It turned out very cute, and coordinates with so many things in my wardrobe.  The problem was that it is totally impractical for my work life.  That dangling bracelet drove me nuts and would get in the way when I wrote on the whiteboard.

Solution!  Turn it into a necklace.  The beauty of it is that I engineered it to be able to come off of the necklace chain and still be able to use it as a charm bracelet as I wish.  All I did was add lobster clasps on my necklace chain.  What do you think?

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Yes I really Do Wear What I Make!

     Let me state for the record once again that I in no way consider myself a model, but feel I need to show my makeovers in my “reality mode.”  I am learning a few things from these pictures though, like my best side, how to use the flash etc.  Today's lesson learned is not to flatten your arms against your sides so they don't look huge and flabby LOL!

While I am remodeling something, it becomes my very own free and healthy charge of adrenaline.  You have all seen this top in a post from a while back but it makes a difference when you see it on a real person.  It has the current peplum styling and the print is fabulous!  I consider it very “thrifty chic” for $5.00 and a bit of my time. 

 Once again, I am wearing my straight leg “Not Your Daughters Jeans,” my faux stiletto boots, and my favorite silver cuff watch. 

The necklace is one that I made long ago and has been a mainstay of my wardrobe ever since.   Jewelry making is an entire other story to add to my “thrifty chic” makeovers.  You will start to see more of my pieces as  time  goes on.  See you later…XXOO-Mary

The Great White Shirt Part 2

Let's try this again!  Hopefully, my blog will cooperate today and I will be able to give you the tutorial for this project.  I wore it for the first time today and I was gratified to see how many people admired it.  Even my students admired the shirt and asked about it.  It turned into a great  economics lesson.  I know I also made many of them feel better about the fact that they too shop in thrift stores.

The "Great White Shirt" with my straight leg "Not Your Daughters Jeans," silver cuff bracelet, antique brooch, and my faux stillettos.

Before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cut off the existing sleeves.  Open them and cut out new short sleeve pattern

Add a gusset to the armholes and redraw the armholes

Set and sew the new sleeves and add the lace to the collar

The Great White Shirt Makeover

 Wow! What a month this has been.  Starting the school year with a new grade level and 29 students has really been cutting into my blog time.    Don't worry though,  I have a great makeover for those of you who have been patiently waiting.  My latest "find" was a man's shirt with great potential.  The outcome was very satisfying and right on trend.  Check out the before and after along with my inspiration below.  I have even given the steps I used to get it done.  I can't wait to wear it with my skinny jeans and my boots.  Around the holidays I plan on beading the collar too.

The Inspiration

After  the sewing was done I have a great tunic  shirt. You can see the lace I added to the collar and what I started with "before" below that.  My first step was to cut the long sleeves off.  Then I had to add a gusset to fill in the armhole.

A Basic Tank to Fashionable Halter!

Front of the tank AFTER!

As a teacher, I must constantly be aware of potential fashion slip ups, or "don'ts."  One is always bending, twisting, getting up and down etc. You must always be aware that you don't give someone an accidental peek (God forbid).  Thus, my extensive collection of camisoles and tanks to wear under certain tops.  A perfect defense against such disasters.

The basic T "before"

Due to a recent thrift makeover I experienced the need for a halter tank.  Without any disposable income at this time, I went shopping in my closet for something to refashion.  I found a basic tank top that would do the trick.  I am also in possession of a rich collection of lace pieces and appliques
from my sewing exploits in the 80's and 90's.

Clip the straps in the back

cross over the straps

Appliques pinned and ready to sew

Done!  The fashionable After

I added one to the front as well!

I added  an applique to the front.  That way, if leave a button or two open it will be a pretty feature so it won't be just a basic tank.   It will also lend it self to be worn as is at home.

Well... I have a weeks worth of lessons to plan.  Gotta go!

That 70's Skirt!

Ok!  I may regret posting this as I am in no way a model,  but this skirt was so cute.  I thought for a second about turning it into a pencil skirt but with the chevron pattern it only accentuated my hips :(

As is,  I look like an episode of "That 70's Show" but I love it!  In case you are thinking this skirt looks familiar, it is the one I found in the thrift store on my last post. The top is one from a long time ago with a Swiss dot pattern.

Today one of my students actually wrote, "I like Mrs. Peterson because she is fancy."  It brought such a smile to my face.  We were writing statement sentences.  At least  I am making a fashion "statement" with my third graders.  LOL!

I am currently on the lookout for a fashionable T-shirt in one of the colors of the chevron stripes.

Later...Mary

Thrift Shopping WIth My Sista'

Last week I had the luxury of spending the day and night at my sister-in-law's place at the beach.  When I go there,  it is like spending the night in a 5 star luxury hotel.  She is such a gracious host, has impeccable taste, and the sheets are even freshly ironed!  She is single and has the luxury of having complete control of the environment in her house and it is beautiful.  It is quite a stark contrast to my world of sweaty socks in every corner and ESPN on every television.  (I am surrounded by men LOL!)   I would love to show pictures but I want to respect her privacy.

Our plan was to go thrift shopping together.  The "Goodwill" in Huntington Beach was huge, very well kept, and clean.  We spent a few hours there prowling for bargains.  My find of the day was from Banana Republic.  It appeared as yet  unworn, and it is beautifully made.  I tried to take a picture of the fabric which is a  brown cotton sateen.  The chevron pattern is created by rows of ribbon that create an hombre pattern.  It is impeccably made and all of the seams match perfectly.  A great find! 

Sorry this is sideways :/  Can someone tell me how to flip?

Little ribbons sewn to create an hombre chevron

We  also had to go downtown to get a surfboard sock for my son which created a perfect set up for us to visit BJ's Brewery for margarita's on the rocks and a little  ahi-poke, my favorite appetizer.  Check out my pictures it will make you want some too!

Happy Shopping!.....Mary

My first "Outfit of the Day"

The Necklace

My Purse

My Shirt (formerly a men's XL polo)

Putting it all together (Don't laugh at the picture quality now!) I need to search out the light...

I know he has only been gone for a few days but after all, today is his birthday!  Moving your first child in the college dorm was a crazy emotional experience.  I am very proud of Ryan and excited for what he has in front of him.   He moved in the dorms on Tuesday, and today (Saturday) we are going to take him out to eat for his birthday.

Of course I dressed and accessorized for the occasion.  I want my son to be proud of me.  (Ok I dressed for my husband too)  I  chose my white "Not Your Daughter's Jeans," B.O.C. sandals,  and one of my recent thrift shop refashioned tops.  The purse was a long ago purchase made by Liz Claiborne.  The necklace was made by a friend.  The centerpiece of it is a piece of abalone with a painted and sealed picture of a flower  As for my shoes, I will spare you pictures of my feet until my next pedicure!   This picture is dark, but my fifteen year old son was behind the lens.  I need to find someone who knows how to work with the camera!

Just Finished! New Canvas Purse

This one cost me no more than $15.  That seems to be the magic number!  This one will go great with the new maroon and oxblood colors for fall.  I am now addicted to making and refashioning my own
clothing!

This post has been a while in coming.  I have been busy moving my first born son into college.  This week has been a life changing experience for us both!

Over the next few weeks I will have to get some pictures posted of  the outfits I have been making out of my creations, but my adventures finding them as well!

School is starting on Monday and my classroom is on it's way to being ready.  I am "ready or not" to get back to work.  Third grade here we come!

Later!

Mary

"Just Bitten" Lipstain-By Revlon

As an elementary school teacher and busy mom, my day can be quite hectic to say the least.  As a result,  I rarely have time to check, double check, or re-apply my make-up.  This little product is a secret weapon for me to make sure the color is not fading from my face.  It does exactly what it claims to do.  It stains your lips kind of like berries and colored candy did when you where a kid, only this time around you have the control of the color.  It provides a  natural look which I like.  On the other side is some lip balm to give your lips a little shine.  The color stays all day!

It is available in any drugstore and quite affordable! Give it a try.  If you are on the go like me, it will save you time, money, and keep you looking fabulous all day long. 'Til later...Mary

Thrifty Makeover With a Rocker Vibe

AFTER!

Love this print

Yesterday I was starting to run out of projects that I was excited about.  So, I took a quick trip to Goodwill and came back with inspiration.  I was drawn to it because of the print.  It had a neat rocker vibe that I was drawn to.  In addition,  the original shirt was laid out, centered, and matched very well.  See the side, back, and before views below.

I only knew I liked the print so I brought it home for $5.  The minute I put it on the form I knew what to do.  It pleated so well and took on a cool sculptural quality because it matched so evenly from side to side.

As a result, I was able to make a little peplum style that is very age appropriate for me at 53. When I tried it on, it gave me a cute shape not to mention the print and peplum hide a multitude of sins.

Make sure you scroll all the way down to see all of the views.  Especially the awful before YUK!

This blog also helped me with my photography skills.  I found out that keeping the flash off shows the details of the garments much better.

Stay tuned as very soon I think I will be brave enough to actually model my creations and show how I will accessorize them.  Really!

I would love to hear your comments...

Side

BACK

The awful BEFORE!

Figuring Things Out

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Ok!

This post is dedicated to how inept I feel at trying to figure out this whole process.  I have fumbled my way through so far but I understand I must publish this post with the code in order to get a bloglovin button.  Crossing my fingers and hoping it works...can't wait 'til I can afford some tech help.  Just so you won't be too bored I will post a picture of my first design (totally mine) in years.

I am starting to remember all of those lessons I learned in design school,  and learning some new things thanks to the net.  Here is the dress!