Hot Tubbin into the New Year

I just finished this bathing suit just in time for summer! Well I have been meaning to make one and I just now got around to it. It figures it's winter. I was practically raised at the beach growing up. I have many fond memories of Torrey Pines, San Elijo and Miramar. Needless to say I have gone through quite a few bathing suits. Nowadays I am lucky if there are two sunny days a year where it is hot enough to wear a swimsuit. That's okay because living in Northern California for 9 years I am nice and white.

Even though I don't get to wear them at the beach I do get to use them in hot tubs. For some reason every time my friends and I go somewhere there has to be a hot tub. We call it Hot Tubbin USA. Don't ask me why the fascination. I think it has to do with city life??

I used a Quick Sew pattern from 1979 and it was quick. I made this in about 5 hours give or take. I used a 4 way stretch fabric that I love. I used elastic and added two buttons for fun. The fabric was $6.95 a yard and the elastic was $2.20 so all and all this suit cost me at the most $13. Take that Roxy! I think it is really sturdy and I can't wait to be Hot Tubin USA this Thursday night! I wish everyone a Happy New Year!

P.S. Stay tuned in 2010 for a Little Yellow Dot Bikini...

A DIY Christmas

I finished my Mom's apron Tuesday night and had my brother take it down to San Diego. She loved it! She really loved the balls. :) It was really fun to make because I could design it how I wanted. Here's a picture of her wearing it that she sent to me.


Although I wasn't with my family this year I had a wonderful Christmas with friends. The gathering was at my place and everyone chipped in to make it special.

One friend made these centerpieces. Another made these greens that he freed from a closed tree farm and he made an edible fruit tree. Everyone brought food and drink and I performed an interpretive dance of the 12 days of Christmas. It may be a new tradition. Also, I have to say that my sweater was a hit!
I hope every one had a pleasant Christmas and if not no big deal there's always next year!

A very funky Christmas!

I have been searching for a really funky Christmas sweater at thrift stores around town, but I haven't been able to find one. I think all the hipsters bought them before me. Instead of giving up I decided to make my own. I bought a $2 red sweater and bedazzled it myself. It's funny I had a vision that it would be really ugly, but I think it turned out pretty nice :) The front has a sport like preppy feel and the back has a magical snowman scene (I should be a school teacher). I can't wait to wear it!

Wake me up when it's Spring

It has been really cold and rainy here and is now officially winter time in San Francisco. As with the change of seasons my body goes through it's natural cycle of change (hibernation mode). I crave more calories and more sleep. I am still finding motivation some where to stay active and work out so that I can improve my energy level and mood, but I don't want to fight the cycle. I am eating more heavy foods and trying to get more sleep. I know that this doesn't have to do with sewing yet, but it will. Just stick with me...

I received a request from my Mom to make her Christmas present. She wants me to make her an apron. I don't think she cooks any more unless she's entertaining, but I will full fill the request. To combat the winter blues I have chosen the fabric below to make the apron and want to make it as fun as possible. My mom loves the beach, traveling, umbrella's, cocktails and palm trees, basically all things San Diego. I like the colors of the fabric and I want the apron to have a retro feel. I am not going to use a pattern and just go with the flow. I found this picture and I might take some ideas from it. Hopefully when it's done I can post a picture of my Mom wearing it and cooking me a fabulous vegetarian meal. :) If anyone has an idea of something they want me to make them please let me know. As long as I am capable of it and you provide me a meal. Just kidding. The hardest part is coming up what you people would like.

Like Mother Like Daughter

When I was in San Diego this last summer for my 10 year high school reunion, my parents dusted off their high school yearbooks for show and tell. We reminisced about their high school days in the 60's. It was fun looking at the fashions. While looking at my Mom's yearbook I found this newspaper clipping. The clipping is from March 1970. I used my newly acquired accounting skills and figured that my mom is 24 in this picture. I love the style of the dress she is wearing. I guess she was in some fashion show for Montgomery Ward. What a trip!

I am becoming more and more like my Mom every day, all good (wink, wink). I've decided to make my own version of the dress which will be neither white or polyester. I found this pattern that is very similar to her dress. I have cut the pattern and fabric and have started to sew a little.
Caption reads: Susan Bentz is wearing a white 100% polyester knit by Enka. It has short sleeves and set in pockets. The red, white and blue silk scarf slides through self-fabric loops on the shoulder and is worn with Navy blue accessorises from Montgomery Ward.