Hi again!
I really want to thank you for your wonderfully supportive comments and emails!
I had been planning to take today off of work to go to Stone Mountain to purchase supplies for challenge #7, as I didn't have the right materials in stash. After learning that I was out of the competition, I decided to take the day off, anyway!
For one thing, I really needed a day off! I have been in this competition for nearly two months and it's been grueling, especially since I also work full time. Not only was I flagging, but it feels like everyone is starting to flag a bit, including the judges, and my blog readers!
So I decided to go ahead with my plans. Though I hadn't started the next challenge, I had figured out what I wanted to make. This challenge is much more up my alley than the last one. Margy kindly overnight'ed me the pattern I wanted to use - all I needed was the fabric.
I rarely purchase fabric for a specific project, so this was fun! It was also fun to be in Stone Mountain on Halloween, when all of the employees are dressed up and in high spirits.
I just returned from my outing. (It was my first time driving over the new Bay Bridge and it is beautiful!) My fabrics are in the wash. I do plan to make the garment for challenge #7, but it will be on my time!
I am positively vibrating with happiness and mojo.
I feel like I've been pardoned from prison! :D
Halloween 2013
Now, you may remember that my friend Sue helps with the costumes for her three adorable grandchildren. I blogged about them last year. Well, she and her daughter made two costumes again this year and I received permission to share the pics.
Eldest grandson is a piece of sushi!
Specifically, he is a piece of salmon, avocado, and tamago (grilled egg) sushi. (His favorite kind.) I know that duct tape and Styrofoam packing peanuts featured prominently in the construction of his costume, which is truly clever. (Sue's daughter, the mother of said children, is a school teacher, and she is clever indeed when it comes to this sort of thing):
Youngest grandson is the Man in the Yellow Hat. My friend Sue made the hat! (But, then, she is Hatmaker Extraordinaire!) His polka dots were also achieved with duct tape!
And, not to be left out, granddaughter was a cheerleader. Sue and I think that she has acting potential!
If you celebrate Halloween, I hope it's a fun one!
I'm so glad to hear you are in good spirits. And, I always wonder how contestants fare during these fun but crazy competitions. From my perspective, a survivor-type sewing challenge would be brutal! I'm excited you're going to be sewing the next challenge on your own time and with the sole purpose of making something you really want. Happy Halloween!
ReplyDeleteInterested to see what the next challenge is and what you are sewing. Glad you took the day off - sometimes that is all we need to just re-charge a change of scenery and a trip to the fabric store! We drove over the new Bay Bridge when we were there in September. Our GPS kept saying recalculate since according to it we were driving on water!
ReplyDeleteThose costumes are classic! Adorable kids!
ReplyDeleteWell.............I never did figure out what the judges wanted! I thought several of your entries were spot on as far as being on trend, wearable, and your fitting is always excellent, so I thought you deserved some wins. More power to you for hanging in there and I'll look forward to seeing your new creation when it is finished!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you are enjoying a restful day!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear your news, but I'm glad you can see it in a positive light. It must have been quite an experience, fitting all of that sewing into your normal schedule. I'll miss seeing your contest creations, but I know there will be plenty others to take their place! Now you can sew what you want, to please yourself and no one else. Yay!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really fun day......just what you needed!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you can return to savoring your sewing time, and delighting in each project. It was fun to see your creations but it's good to have you back from the craziness of those deadlines.
ReplyDeleteOMG all the kids' costumes are wonderful, but the sushi is especially fabulous! How creative and fun! Sorry for you to be out of the competition because I thought you added a needed different outlook on design and attitude, but so happy that you can now get back to creating on your own terms. Still will be waiting to see what you do with that Donna Karan pants pattern. I just put in my Vogue patterns order for a few myself.
ReplyDeleteThe sushi costume is totally adorable!! What a great creation! And you had yourself a really fun Halloween! Looking forward to your next creations and projects!!!
ReplyDeletewhoa, I was busy lately so I missed the news that you were out - which is wrong IMO!! ha ha, but hey you are stoked to sew, so that's always good. I think your entries were stupendous and you established just how creative you are, I think we were all very impressed. Of course, the other contestants were great, too, but I think your creativity was the best. Just my humble opinion!!
ReplyDeleteHaving to make clothes to a grueling schedule and out of your comfort zone and competing can not have been such a wonderful experience but kudos to you for making some of the best fitting darling outfits! You have earned a break! Sushi costume...so clever!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had a wonderful day off, recharging and regaining mojo! The Man in the Yellow Hat makes me smile! Takes me back to the days when my now-grown-sons were just little tykes watching Curious George, the curious little monkey! [still hear the tune] Such cute kids and costumes!
ReplyDeleteAdorable costumes, I loved the sushi idea!
ReplyDelete2 months in the contest: That´s a lot of hard work! I´m sorry that you are out but I think you deserve a rest!
Congratulations for enjoying all the challenges that you completed. It takes real commitment to make garments that you really don't expect to like. Your costumes are really fun. Have a fun time with the next project.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe you're out, but am right with you on the sense of relief. Will look forward to seeing what comes out of your creative brain next.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you're out. I was sure you be there till the end. But in a way it must be a relief! Enjoy a bit of rest and I'm sure we'll all check in to see the next creation!
ReplyDeleteWonderful costumes. Congratulations on your fabulous show of skill in the competition. You dun good.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you make! Those costumes are so adorable, especially the sushi. One of my neighbors came trick or treating as a hot dog -- food costumes must be big this year!
ReplyDeleteShams, I can SO empathize with your emotions of relief at the challenge ending for you. You did wonderfully creative and unique pieces. You won IMO just on the studded dress round alone. Simply the bomb .. you coulda been in a James Bond thriller!
ReplyDeleteI really don't honestly get the whole exercise. The rounds, rules and mostly: the exhaustive duration, especially holding down a job at the same time. One doesn't get a sense of clear coherence to the design of the process. As I said, and I could be so off base, but that's just my 2cents. It had to be so wearing and stressful by the end.
Every creative choice you made was done with such thought and entailed your full focuse and persistence .. even when out of your garment style or comfort zone... and they were all excellent. Very well done .. you should be so proud of yourself. I wish the others good luck for they will have survived a mighty and highly unusual challenge.
Now you can sew for your pleasure, at your pace. Enjoy!
~Joy~
focuse = that must be French for FOCUS.
DeleteMy typo .. ;)