Inspiration: Pushing Daisies

If you never saw the show Pushing Daisies when it originally aired in 2007, I am right there with you. I just discovered it. Good thing for me, though, cause Netflix streams the full series via instant play. There is so much to love about this show- it paints a  colorful and exaggerated world  full of equally colorful and cartoon-like characters; amongst mystery, an uncanny romance and really amazing pies. Just watch it.  Despite all this, Pushing Daisies also has some of the prettiest vintage-inspired frocks worn by actress Anna Friel's character, Chuck. Full skirts and fitted bodices...arranged in bright florals and dreamy shades of peach, classic red, dreamy blue and, most often, yellow. Wonderful yellow. I have a weird gravitation toward all things yellow.

There are so many to drool over, really. This little number has been dancing in my head for quite some time.

I couldn't get an individual photo at full length, but you can get an idea by the top picture.  I found this vintage sheet fabric from Midwest Vintage Co.

Sheets are my favorite way to get fabric. Not only does it get you a lot more fabric for the yardage, but most of the time, sheeting is made of wonderfully soft cotton. I was looking for something with a little more yellow in the background, but I though this print was so nice. There are still a couple of fitting issues that I'm working out, but I'm hoping to have it finished by the end the weekend. I'll post pictures of the finished dress and construction details soon!

A natural notion

Stitching is a rather new craft for me. I was inspired from the likes of Jenny Hart maybe a year and a half ago, and I decided to give it a try. Recently, I've found that it is the perfect combination between two of my crafting pastimes- sewing and drawing. Since a kid, I found solace in sitting at a table and composing my graphic ideas on paper. Like most young kids, I was an avid colorer. Yes, Crayola was a good friend. I once even submitted my work to a Beauty and the Beast coloring contest, torn directly from the daily newspaper. The prized earnings, if selected, was two tickets to see "Beauty and the Beast On Ice" at a nearby ice arena. It was a big deal. BIG DEAL. And I won. No big deal. 

Sewing was something that my taught me as a kid, too. I remember outings to multiple fabric stores, and the opportunity to find beautiful fabric and pattern combos was so special. Mom made me Easter and Christmas dresses, complete with puffy sleeves and lacy details. Yup, that was the eighties. My first solo sewing project, though, was most likely a pillow. Does everyone learn this as their first project? I suppose that you can't go wrong with two squares sewn together, inside out.  The time spent sitting at the machine, hand stitching and handling fabric has always been the most fun for me. I like the idea that you can take something 2D, and purposely direct it to become something 3D. Clothing is especially magical in that sense. Like sculpture for the body, right? I love it. 

Okay, so case in point- stitching seems to combine these two things perfectly. I get the satisfaction of imagining and drafting my own graphic then using the skills that I have acquired from sewing. More work to come! 

Beginnings

Well, here it is- my first blog entry and introduction into the blogging community that I have been an avid reader of for so long. There are many reasons that I am starting this blog. For one, I would like to better  my writing skills. It has been some time since I have had to own up to any of my own writing. Secondly, there are so many lovely blogs that I adore reading and I now have the better opportunity to become involved. Lastly, I intend to use this blog as a way to record and improve my creative efforts. Fashion, art, and design have always been an important part of my life, but I admit that I am a bit spastic in my endeavors. I almost always have two to three projects going on at one time, and many of them are often left unfinished. I intend to change this habit, however, and I hope that published accounts of ongoing projects should be motivation. With that said, I am excited to be a part of something that has highlighted some of the most  talented introverts and extroverts alike. Cheers to you!