New Spring Vogue Release

Yesterday I mentioned that Vogue release a new set of patterns, so let's take a look at some stand-outs.

Wrapping and ruching certainly seems to be the trend over at Vogue this season:

V1342, V1341,  V1339, V1338

There are LOTS of ill fitting dresses to choose from:

Both of these models are beautiful, but I think they made all of their outfits too big.  Look at how that teal dress is falling, and above look at the armhole on the yellow dress.  I think they have to stand in such weird poses just to get the outfits to look good.

But strangest of all is this one...because it's supposed to look this way:

Now I know Vogue is supposed to be all avant garde and everything, but since when did looking like you just had a bar brawl become fashion?

So, here's the thing, I love Vogue patterns.  I usually drool over the beautiful designer dresses and blouses all the time, but I'm just not crazy about this release. I know I couldn't pull off any of these looks.  How about you?  Are you going to dive in and wrap, roll, and tear?  You'll be more fashionable than I~

To top off the strangeness, check out their newest pattern that is being released on the web only.

Easy Vogue Blouse

Here's a cute blouse for the office that I finished up this past weekend:

There's nothing particularly special about it but I thought it would look pretty swanky with a black pencil skirt.  It has a bit of detailing at the neckline and in the back, with some lovely bishop's sleeves-which look nice but I have to admit that they do restrict your movement.

Here's a close-up of the fabric.

Another bargain bin steal~

I used Very Easy Very Vogue pattern V4819.  Unfortunately, it looks like it's out of print.  The good news is that if you buy directly from the Vogue website, ALL patterns are on sale right now for only $4.99 (ending today- Feb 20, 2013), that includes their brand new stock which was just released! (I'll showcase a few of them tomorrow).

V4819

Do you ever splurge and use Vogue patterns?  Leave a comment and tell us your favourite one below!

Clay Cameos

Take a look at this month's Wholeport project!

I've been playing around with polymer clay for awhile but have never tried making cameos...until now!

Here's what I ordered to get me started:

All of this for $30!

Here are some close-ups:

The molds have lots of detail and are really flexible,
making it easy to get the clay out of them.

This clay is way softer than anything I've ever
tried from Sculpey or Fimo.

Just as I thought, making cameo's with molds is easy, but you need to be prepared to take your time.

Steps:
1) Start with a very small piece of clay.  This will fill the silhouette part of the piece.  Gently push it into the mold being very careful not to go outside of the design.  Don't put in too much or it will overflow into the background.

2) I didn't know I was getting the tools too, but I'm so glad I did.  They came in super handy when pushing the clay into the little tiny crevices.

3) Take another very small piece of clay in a contrasting colour.  Flatten it out and spread into the rest of the mold to create the background.

4) Roll across the back to even everything out.

5)Pop your pieces out and bake.  (This clay also says it can be boiled!)

Obviously I still need some practice~

Here are the other pieces I made with the other molds:

This was after they were baked.  You can see how well the clay keeps it's original colour.

Then I just glued the cameo to a metal cabochon frame and adhered to a ring finding and some lace for a bracelet.

You can find everything you need to make your own clay jewellery at Wholeport.com.

Did you know that Wholeport also has a FREE sample program?  Check it out!

*This is a sponsored post however all opinions are my own.  All supplies were provided free of charge however I did not receive any monetary compensation.

Metal Works

Add a little shine and pizazz to any old sweater with sparkly elbow pads!

I had this great cashmere sweater in my closet.  It's lovely just the way it is, it's just a little boring that's all. So, let's get to work!

Here's what you need:

Materials:

-Sweater

-standard sewing kit

-stretchy metallic fabric (I used spandex)

-1 piece of paper, ruler, craft knife, and cutting mat

Steps:

1) Make a pattern for your elbow pads.  That way they'll be exactly the same.  Cut a piece of paper to 4.5" X 6.5".

2) Round the corners.

3) Use your pattern to cut out two pieces from your fabric.

4) Sew 1/4" all the way around your pieces and then clip the corners.

5) Use your stitching line as a guide for turning.  Turn your edges along the sewing line and lightly press.  Sew close the edge securing your edges.

6) Find the elbow placement for each pad and pin.

This sweater is only 3/4 length sleeves
so that's why it's so close to the cuff.

7) Hand stitch each pad onto your sweater using your stitching line from step 5 as your guide.

There you go!  Your sweater is extra special now!

When I first envisioned this project I was going to use sequins but I found this sparkly spandex at my local fabric store for about a tenth of the price and decided to change my plan, plus spandex is so easy to work with, I thought it was the better choice in the long run.  You could try a printed cotton but be careful of bunching.  You may have trouble bending the elbows. 

Experiment though, if they don't look quite right they're easy enough to remove and try again.

I've got so many projects planned for this weekend!  I can't wait to show you them all next week.  What are you working on?!?!

Have a crafty week~

Is Somebody Singing?

Enjoy~


Chris Hadfield on the International Space Station and Bare Naked Ladies (on Earth) debut their collaboration "Is Somebody Singing".

I'm having an AWESOME week!

First of all, I can finally see the sun again!  Yay!  Up until this past week when I go to work it's usually still dark out, and when I leave work at 4:00 pm it's already dark again.  But the season's are changing and I can literally see a light at the end of the tunnel! 

Of course, I had to spend a couple of hours shovelling snow off my roof to make sure it doesn't leak inside, but that's a very small price to pay~

On top of that I made an appearance on a local TV show doing crafts!  I was shaking in my booties but I tried to embrace the experience and just went for it.  I was so nervous and shy that I didn't take any photos of what went down and there's no online link but I've been asked back again, so if I return I'll get a little more guts and take some photos and do a post.








We made Valentine's versions of my Personalized Tea Bag and Heart Bookmark projects.

And thirdly....not only is one of my projects in a new e-book from allfreesewing.com, I made it to the front cover!  Whoohoo!

Check it out and download your free copy now~

How's your week going!  Aren't you glad spring is almost here?!?!?  (I know it's going to go back down to -30 by next week but I need to live in the moment when the weather is like this or I'll go crazy.)