day 3, rose city

Today I proceeded on with the project by making a sweet little rose in honor of the "rose city." Although a rainy rather than rosy city today, I'm starting small. This didn't take any sewing machine time, which I do need, but a little hand stitching. This little guy could be cute on just about anything. I'll throw it in the box for now. Maybe soon I will have something pretty to pin it onto. I found the most difficult part of making him today was peeling off the sticker on the back describing the fabric since it remains a fabric sample. I swore my skin would rip off as I kept getting my fingers stuck to this industrial ridiculous glue! This could pose a problem when I continue with these tricky little samples.

day 2, gold mine

Whoa. I may have to turn dumpster-diver, but I think I've hit the jackpot. This is one of the many bins of fabric/strange (and cheap) finds at scrap. They had a few rolls of fabric to purchase as well, but we all know I'm not quite at the point of purchasing by the yard. Besides, what great practice I can get!! Most of what I picked up here were upholstery samples. I grabbed a few zippers in case I get really ambitious. This place was jam-packed with everything crafty and quirky you could ever want. The very friendly checkout girl commented on how beautiful one piece of yellow and black fabric was, asking me what I planned on using it for. I laughed to myself and told her I had no idea. If only she knew just how new to this I was while hipsters danced around me talking about their plans for every treasure they picked up. I still haven't decided what I'm creating this evening. I made some delicious egg salad, but that probably doesn't count. In the meantime, check out my $6.50 worth of fabric and zippers!! I'm thinking about spraying tons of starch on the whole pile and leaving it on the coffee table as art :)

the beginning, thanks to lady gaga

Somehow, I must partially attribute this blog to Lady Gaga. It helps that I am jobless right now and desperately looking for a way to fit in with Portland's nutty DIY attitude. The blog has nothing to do with making myself feel pretty. It has to do with creating something every day. Eventually, hoping these little creations, or the sum of all of them, will be pretty. I suppose one could call this one big project, or even a new years resolution. But how about Lady Gaga?!? You have to admit she is one seriously motivated creative nut. I can't help but love everything she does! And she seems so sweet! …Anyway, there are lots of reasons I want to do this. My fiancé, Pat, bought me a sewing machine 2 Christmas's ago. I had every intention of learning to use it and sew amazing clothes and duvet covers that day, but something about it intimidated the heck out of me! Finally last night at about 10:30 pacific time, after watching Lady Gaga videos on YouTube, I pulled the machine out of the box and taught myself how to thread that stupid thing (that was the scariest part). By the time I figured that all out, I only had time to sew those 2 red lines on the paper towel you see below before my eyes were so tired I couldn't see the needle. Another reason I'm starting this venture is to eventually create some sort of pretty little handmade SOMETHING for our upcoming wedding in August. Let's see here, other reasons…I need a hobby, an outlet, something to say at job interviews, and new clothes since I have no job which equals little money!

I laid awake for hours thinking about ways to start. This morning I googled "Portland fabric scraps" and found the greatest store in NE Portland that I can't wait to visit this afternoon! It's called Scrap. How perfect! I will let you know what I find.

So if anyone's out there, watch me learn to sew and make one pretty little thing every day. Phew.