Journey into Sewdonia: 90s inspired skirt

I'd like to announce that my first ever sewing project was a success. And such an adorable one at that. I'm so pumped it didn't turn out anything like Lucy's or Denise's first sewing experiences. Instead it was actually very enjoyable.

I honestly love this skirt. It's such a perfect 90s-esque flower print and I love it. I feel like I need an awesome bowler hat with some flowers attached to wear with it... As a matter of fact, that just might be my next DIY project.

As for the sewing part of it, I think it went pretty well. I bought a pattern that was initially way too big for me, and with the advice from this nice woman at Hancock Fabrics, I decided I would cut it down. Of course, by that I mean Mom would cut it down. So, needless to say there were a few fitting issues along the way, but nothing we (again, more Mom than me) couldn't handle.

I can't wait to tackle my next sewing project. Right now, it's a tie between two vintage inspired dresses that I just can't settle on. In the mean time, while I'm deciding which one to make, I think I'll make some bow ties just for funsies. 

Excuse Me While I Fangirl...

I've had at least three far more fun posts planned and even written for the past week, but the weather has been super crappy which means I haven't gotten to take any decent pictures for said posts. So, that means you all get to read me fangirl over my newest obsession, the Merlin/Arthurian legends. 

It basically all started when I discovered  that Guinevere was played by a beautiful black actress, Angel Coulby, in BBC's Merlin. If you know anything about me, you'd know that I can't resist watching anything with an interracial couple in it. So, I dove head first into the series, fell in love with each and everyone of the characters and never looked back. Now, I plan to read whatever I can get my hands on that has to do with anyone even a little bit related to these legends. I think I'm going to have to renew my library card soon.

Yesterday, I finished the second installment of Mary Stewart's Merlin trilogy, The Hollow Hills. I'll admit the first book was slow going for me, but the story really did pick up in the second one. In all honesty, I think the only reason I felt it was slow is because I'm more interested in King Arthur than in Merlin. But who wouldn't be when your first introduced to Arthur by the stud muffin that is Bradley James?

This post wouldn't be complete without me mentioning the aspect that completely sold me on the series, Merlin and Arthur's relationship. From the moment Arthur came charging into that forest and met Merlin for the first time, I couldn't put the book down. Then the scene where Arthur admits that he thought Merlin was his father, ugh... You have to read it yourself to understand the emotions I was feeling during  that scene.

Tiniest Print I've ever seen in my life but so worth it.

If you're even a little bit interested in the Merlin/Arthurian legends it's definitely worth a read. I think you could really start anywhere in the series since I think Stewart wrote them each as stand alone books. 

Our Wisconsin Dells Trip

Our trip to Wisconsin Dells is my favorite type of trip. It was so laid back and a whatever happens happens sort of a thing. That's the way vacations should be, relaxing.

Don't get me wrong, we did our fair share of walking and were pretty much exhausted at the end of each day. Thank goodness we brought movies with so we could just sit back and relax. 

On the day of the trip I got it into my head that it'd be fun if we did a photo challenge in the Dells. So, I spent most of the drive there making a list of fun things to take pictures of. And here is what I came up with:

o Cheese
o Water Park
o Ups and Downs
o A piece of History
o A good brew
o Serenity
o A beautiful sight
o Comic Relief
o The Culture
o Body of Water
o Streets Ahead
o Good Eats
o Work of Art

o Paul Bunyan

Here's a downloadable PDF version to print off. And the pictures above are the products of our imaginations taken by my mom.

All in all the trip was pretty awesomely relaxing and I can't wait for it to come around again next year. Maybe I'll even write up a different photo challenge.

#Wisdells2013

Yes, it's that time of year again! My mom, my sister and my annual trip to Wisconsin Dells. It'll be three days of eating, walking, sleeping, laughing,  eating, and other general tom-foolery. By time you're reading this, we'll already be on the road... Hopefully...

I don't think I'm in the minority when I say, packing is the worst part about traveling. It's so hard to decide what I'll be in the mood to wear. What will be weather appropriate? You know how the weather guys always get it wrong. I never know what I'll want to read when there's down time. Should I bring movies or shouldn't I bring movies? Will my entire pen and notebook collection fit in my duffle bag? And oh geez, what about food? There are just so many things to think about! In the end though, this gal knows, or at least she should know, that there's really no use fretting over these things because no matter what, the company alone makes for a pretty kick ass vacations.