wholly altered (holey altered)

5 months later

2012-01-23T15:23:00.000-05:00

So I thought I had gotten a lot more off my list than I really had :( but really I mean life happens....plus some other things got added to the list, became imperative and got done. But instead of listing I am going to post photos of how productive I have been!

We'll work backwards :)

my niece Melia in her monster hat I made for Christmas :)


my cuz Lauren sportin' her Hawk Hat she got for Christmas :)


Christmas Eve pajamas

Dance clothes!

was the back, now the front and the back is laced up with ribbon :)

was Evan's gray shirt, I made the Jackson School of the Arts logo screen :) now I have been commissioned to do these for a yoga studio in the building (sounds like a summer project to me!)

Jamison modeling a ballet skirt

I made 6 skirts total :)

was a too short t-shirt......

......with a stain on the back

old concert t of Evan's ( also made a blue pair from a vintage blue shirt )

I bought the blue shirt too small and expanded it with laces.

Elizabethan type collar on an old ae shirt...why not?

So what's not pictured? Well I also made curtains for the boys bedroom, I altered 6 military style sequined jackets into cropped bolero vests with white satin ruffles, I made 8 tutus out of navy tule, finished that gigantic banner, fixed a friend's pants that were in my studio for 2 months, patched a work jacket for my oldest brother, I also made some really easy tops for dance without sewing, just cutting and tying, and a case for my ipod (which I loose quite often so it hardly gets to hold the ipod :~D )

Now my to-do list looks something like : "finish the last to-do list and....." get ready for the big 2 year birthday party, plan summer sewing classes for income when dance is done, get going on those commisioned shirts, make the yoda hat baby shower gift for that 2 month old, make play room curtains, sew buttons back on the boys cardigans, prepare for the fairy festival, think of amazing things to do with the rust vintage dress I just found in my studio.

I will probably have to start with that last one, it sounds like tons of fun! Plus I just can't get the dress outta my head. Oh well, there is plenty of sewing and plenty of time, right?.....right....

last Saturday and this Saturday

2011-08-09T12:03:00.000-04:00

After that last post; I went into my studio, boys in tow and everything! It was hot but doable; I sewed that dang button on Evan's shorts, altered two t-shirts to wear for dance, and pinned down the word "honey" on the banner....doesn't seem like much when it's written out, but for me it was amazing...sure every 10 minutes or so I had to tell one boy or the other not to bite, or not to climb, or clean up some mess they were in the process of making....but there was live music down stairs at cuppa for part of the evening, and good friends stopped in to bask in the glory of the mess the boys had made.... it was just an all around enjoyable afternoon.

Which I expect the same out of this Saturday too. I will be hosting a class for up-cycling clothes. By which I mean, when something you love has a tiny (or sizable) flaw, but you just can't part with it.....how you turn it into something you love even MORE. I will probably be working on t-shirts for dance, but will be helping anyone brainstorm how to improve something of theirs and how to accomplish what they want to do! Then of course there will be more live music and I always love that!

the list grows and grows

2011-08-06T12:17:00.000-04:00

It seems as though I still haven't figured out that having twins puts a little bit of a crunch on my time to myself. I keep giving myself jobs to get done, of course before I get back to work as the dance teacher part of my life. But then I think of going to the studio to work, and then I remember how hectic it is with twins there, and how hot it could be up there on the second floor with one window and one tiny oscillating fan, and how much I have to pack up to make it through a few hours, and how by the time I get unpacked it will be time to nap/eat/cuddle/diaper....I'm not complaining, just saying I haven't really adjusted my expectations and it's been 17 months! By the time I do adjust they will probably be 5 years old and WAY easier to deal with. Such is life.....but I still need to get some of these projects done.

The banner....oh the huge banner that was supposed to be a birthday present in January....no not next January.....2011. January 9th to be exact, but I just have to sew the letters on...just sew the letters on the 10'x4' banner....

Baby stuff that was a gift for a baby shower 2 weeks ago. I wrote an i.o.u in the card, but really that baby is gonna be here within the next two months. It's nothing mom can't live without for the first few months of baby's life. Stuff like a wet bag, for cloth diapers (which she's not doing until they get a washer), restaurant high chair cover, and diaper covers.....it is all actually really simple....without twins.

Then my personal projects keep piling up! Curtains for the boys room, ballet skirts, shirts for dance, leg warmers.....oh and they all sound so fun! Plus I just bought a pattern for a really cute dress that I wouldn't mind wearing for family pictures next month.....there is also the recital costume I want to re-vamp so JSA has another option for costumes this year. I have also been promising to sew a button on some shorts for Evan for oh I don't know 2 months....it's a button! C'mon! I've gotta get it together and get this list a little shorter!

I guess the goal is to get my studio cooled off so it's bearable to spend a few hours a week there! Evan even reminded me of Halloween last night too....Rock 'em Sock 'em Boppers and Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head....Oh I am so excited for that!

Well, hopefully the next post is that I have finished my list and I am not bored ;) yeah right, like I'll ever be bored!

smooth sailing

2011-07-19T01:23:00.000-04:00

So there have been some spells since I started this business (and blog) that have been quite dry creatively and productively...but I think we are headed for an end to that. The boys are FINALLY sleeping! I may be getting ahead of myself a little, tonight will mark night number 2 that they have slept through the night (if they make it) but I feel so refreshed and whole after just one FULL night's sleep that it is ridiculous! So of course since I feel so refreshed I am awake at 1 a.m. thinking and thinking of things to come. Like August classes, or starting to teach dance again in the fall, or just how to deal with a 103 heat index tomorrow, or how I want to organize a sewing group, or the party I'm gonna throw when the babes have slept through the night for a week (it will be quiet and in the middle of the night)...so many things to be excited for, and so many things to figure out.

August classes for starters. I am really not thrilled about the classes I thought I would teach. So I'm going to change them to something I will be excited for. I think since the up-cycle sewing one kinda went out the window in favor of working on other projects, that will be the first class in August, and that I will just have a sewing day for the other Saturday that I would teach a class.
August 19th I will be doing an up-cycle sewing class, where YOU bring in something you love that has one little (or big) flaw, like a stain, a tear, you don't like the way it hangs, too short, too long (get the idea), and we do something cool and fun to make it Perfect. Then on August 27th I will just open the studio to whoever wants to bring a project and sew while socializing. I think we will call it "sew-cializing" ha ha get it? oh man...they will both start at 1pm and go until 4pm (ish).

I think the "sew-cializing" will be something I continue into the school year. Once a month at least. I am going to be teaching a lot this year (not complaining) but I don't think I want to do sewing classes on top of dance, but the "sew-cializing" will be a good way to relax, unwind, and spend time with people my age! I think it will be fun, in the fall we can start working on Halloween costumes (my favorite), and then there is the Christmas season that we can work on gifts and then there is the new year where we can just play! I will have a birthday party to start planning but that probably won't involve sewing. "Sew-cializing" will be a bring your own maching (or not) and your own project, type of gathering and it will be the Second Saturday of every month, from 1p.m. until 4ish. There another thing settled in my mind! Actually I think that knocked a few things out of my mind.

I think I will be able to sleep with just the heat index to deal with tomorrow, and the party for sleeping babies....ahhh sleep, how I love you!

thinking of teaching...

2011-05-02T16:56:00.000-04:00

so there has been some response to almost all the classes I have listed. Even if it's just saying in passing that people are interested in doing it, but not signing up per-say...except for the working with ties class....maybe a screen printing class instead. I could do the cheap pantyhose and embroidery hoop method...that would be fun and artistic and maybe generate more interest. We'll see, so far though I am really excited to teach these classes not only because I get to pass along valuable information but I am thinking it's a good way to get some projects done that I've had going for a long time! woo hoo!

Finally getting going again

2011-04-22T23:38:00.000-04:00

I am putting my foot down! I am going to sew again and the babies are just going to have to deal with it! Not only am I going to sew I am actually going to do the classes I have been saying I was going to do forever! The first two classes will be in June.

On June 4th I will be teaching "practical sewing, by machine or hand"; we will go over simple things such as sewing on a button, hemming pants, fixing a seam, or any other simple question someone may have. It will be a great time to bring in your sewing machine that has been passed down through the ages and you aren't sure how to work it, we will figure it out together. Bring that pile of clothes that you have been meaning to mend but you're not sure how or just don't have the confidence, we'll get through it together. The fee for this class will vary, depending on how long you stay and how much help you need. Please pre-register and we will talk about it then!

June 18th we will have some fun and alter a pair of pants into a fabulous skirt (like the one above). This will be an all hand sewing class (unless you choose otherwise). You have to supply the pair of pants to be altered and if you want me to supply the extra fabric it will be a $5-$10 charge. Otherwise it is $15 for the first hour and $10 for any hour after that. If you just want help getting the project started only stay for the first hour, if you want help through out the construction of your skirt, you are welcome to stay up to three hours! Yes, it may take that long, especially hand sewing, but think of all the compliments you will receive! Please pre-register for this class, so I can plan on where we will need to be.

All classes will be held at Art 634 at 1pm. If you have any questions or want to register please call me at 517-740-3698

I can't wait! I am giddy just thinking about it! I am already planning the rest of the summer classes and I will post descriptions later, but just to wet your appetite:

July 2nd: sewing from a pattern
July 16th: up-cycle sewing
August 13th: working with ties
August 27th: fabric art, 2D and 3D

may be getting somewhere

2009-11-16T17:32:00.000-05:00

For a while I have been squelched by a project that should have been done well over 2 months ago and is still sitting in my studio. Since this project my life has been in turmoil, my husband and I found out we were pregnant then that a house we put and offer in on was accepted. Needless to say things are a changin'! But I almost my my second full length tie skirt complete...I will load pictures soon. It has taken me significantly longer than I had planned because I made some poor choices in materials....but have since removed nearly half the ties and proceeded to make the skirt the right size.
I have also made it through Halloween, making a wee little dragon costume, a 80's dancer costume for my pooch, and some really sweet leg warmers for myself.....again pictures to come later.
Now I am getting inspired for the holiday season. I have started making patches, that people can buy and use where ever they like, I have started ideas for some small fabric paintings that I should be able to sell at a reasonable price, I have a vision for mittens from sweaters, and also my awesome leg warmers..I plan on making more to sell! So needless to say I am becoming more motivated, and I should have some really cool stuff done by the end of this month!

An unproductive week

2009-08-15T10:19:00.000-04:00

So even though my goal was to finish a project every week to update the blog it has not worked. I have actually been busy for a while helping Jackson School of the Arts prepare for our next school year. But anyway, I did get my sewing machine a much needed tune-up and now it actually has even stitches, which is really exciting for me. It has inspired me to schedule classes. So here is the announcement!
I will be holding classes every Monday night for people wanting to familiarize themselves with their sewing machine. It will be pretty basic, getting to know how to thread, what the different stitches are good for and how to complete a sewing project of the students choice. This will also be a great time, if you are already good at sewing, to just bring your machine and work around others working with fabric. The class will start around 6:30 and go until 8:00 at the latest, or if people need to leave earlier. I will provide scrap material for practice and thread; please bring your own machine, bobbins, and material for your final project. The price for this class with be $15 for an hour (this is negotiable, I love to barter).
My other class with be on Friday evening from 5-6. I hope for this class to take on the "stitch-and-bitch" type feel where we all have solo projects, and socialize while working on them. The projects will be focused on recycling and art, especially clothing. If you want and idea of what that looks like click on the image of the green and white tank top to the left. Some call this up-cycling clothing. I usually do it when I really like certain aspects of an article of clothing but I dislike others. I will be there to lend novice sewers a hand in getting started and guidance throughout their project. I will provide any scrap fabric needed for projects, as well as any needles or thread needed. The fee for this class will be $10 (also negotiable!).
Well that is all the news for now!

Goals met

2009-07-29T10:42:00.000-04:00

So I have been working as "holey altered" for just under a year and my goal was to have this blog up and running by the end of this month! I cut it a little bit close but here it is! My goal with this is to post a weekly project, so that I am more productive and people who don't make it down to Art 634 can still see what I am up to. I will also be posting a class schedule sometime next week. If you have any ideas for classes you would be interested in taking, let me know! I will do what I can.