Too Much of a Good Thing Dress

That's certainly the case here.

~ Where should I start? ~

Maybe slathering coral on coral is a tad over done?  uhuh.  Plus, I look ginourmous it, more than usual.  Well enough about that.

These were made B.S. (before shoulder).

I saw my Sports Medicine Specialist last week, finally.  After doing some office-y tests and talking to me, he said I WAS DOING TOO MUCH SEWING WITH BAD POSTURE (I know Mom).    He referred me to physical therapy to get my shoulder, upper back muscles stronger (2-3 times a week for a month +).  And to stop with the anti-inflammatory 2x daily (I thought it was pain meds!) using them only as needed.

Well, easier said then done.  Turns out my new insurance doesn't cover physical therapy.  Oh no, that's not true.  If I pay $250 each and every time I visit a physical therapist, they'll pay what's left over.  nah.  On the other hand, I immediately stopped taking the meds with no problem.  Until the 3rd day, when my arm to hand was like a one-way freeway of pulsating something or others that dead ended in numbness. I'm back on them again.

Meanwhile the Doc recommended a you-tube video with stretches using a band for my scapula dyskinesis (abnormal movement of the shoulder blade).   We've ordered the stretch bands from Amazon...

I'm going to show up for Visible Monday at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style even though it's Tuesday.  And Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like, (even though I'm not).  And let's just forget the shoes this time.

I Am Cute Dresses

~ yep, you heard that right ~

The gray cotton with silver mesh overlay dress is made from one of the first Japanese sewing books that was translated into English, I Am Cute Dresses.  And that's my peace sign necklace worn way back in the 60s.  Hey, I'm in my 60s now too.  hmmm...

Underneath is my Ode to a Grecian Slip, self-drafted from a bit of black chiffon I had on hand.   Worn cuz I'm feeling the dress is too short for me now.  Both items were made in the beginning days of Project Minima. 

~ a quick cat nap? ~

Wearing the Lotus Shirt/ Jacket/ Duster from Tina Givens Patterns over top as it was chilly here on the last day of school.

~ close up of my hand-made fasteners ~

~ and those cute shoes and sox ~

Hope I'm not too late for Patti and the Visibles at Not Dead Yet Style!  And I've got it nailed for Anne's 52 Pick me up: gray, yea!  Then off to Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like, but of course.  And Cherie's Shoe and Tell.  Hope to see you all there.

Still Not Sewing Trio

Back to the vault for the Sewing Workshop Trio Pattern I made last Fall.  Just the thing to wear in our 40 degree May weather.

~ I wore this to Jury Duty Thursday ~

Do you think that's why I wasn't chosen?  Nah, I was only on stand-by anyway.   Sitting there for 6 hours reading a book, plus the commute on the el to and from downtown, left me really wiped out.  You know, from the ole sewing injury.  I slept for a day and a half afterwards.  True story.

~ see, I'm even yawning here ~

Anyway, the Trio pattern consists of a t-shirt, cargo pants with huge zippered pockets and a cropped top.  Of course, I modified each piece.  What I really like are all the fabrics.  The pants are a burned out corduroy print.  The top is a woven red-green.  And the t is a thin abstract stretch knit.

~ a "pin" I made long ago ~

From a bit of fabric almost the same as my top, a tarnished penny, a paper umbrella - the kind that's served with drinks, sea glass...

And the usual finale:

~ my good ole doc martens  ~

Nothing's stopping me from bopping on over to Patti and the Visibles at Not Dead Yet Style.  Then Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like and Cherie's Shoe and Tell when they all go live.  See you there.

Women In Clothes Dresses

A friend asked if I had the book.  Why yes, as a matter of fact, I do.

~ and it goes so well with my dresses too ~

My ensemble was made last Spring.

~ as I'm still on sewing hiatus ~ 

In fact, my doctor referred me to a Sports Specialist.  Meanwhile I'm feeling no pain, being put on drugs until the appointment comes 'round.  Although since there's no pain, I have been sneaking in a little sewing here and there a few hours at a time.  Can't go longer than that cuz I'm exhausted too.  geez.

~ and back view ~

The over dress is the Peplone Dress/ Jacket pattern from Tina Givens made out of linen.

~ I am mellower... ~

The dress underneath is a rendition of the Briare Slip/ Dress pattern also from Tina Givens, made out of broadcloth.

~ art by artist Melaine ~

Graciously received at the World's First 40+ Bloggess Meet-up in Vancouver in July of 2015.  It goes with everything!

~ les sox et shoes ~

Oh, hey, I painted those shoes with some weird-o paints.  Chemtex paints, yeah.  Touted as real metallic finishes with real patinas that oxidize.  So these were painted copper that turned verdigris.  Cool,  Otherwise they were old black plastic.

And now is the time for all good women to join Patti and the Visibles at Not Dead Yet Style.  And Catherine at I Will Wear What I Like.  Cherie's Shoe and Tell when it goes live.  I do believe I must have beige in the mix somewhere, so let's hop on over to Anne's 52 Pick-me Up: Beige.  Yeah, Baby.

Oh Yin, But No Yang Dress*

*sung with a Bob Marley kinda sway

~ so what's with this dress? ~

~ view of the yin ~

~ and view of the yang ~

But I found out afterward that the pattern has an error.  It only has pattern pieces for one side!!  A yin but no yang.  The first time I thought I just made a mistake and remade yang again in the print linen.  But no, there actually wasn't a yang, just two yins.   I recut the necklines to be the same on both pieces, so they could be worn together.  One side is supposed to be longer in length than the other...

~ from the Sewing Workshop Pattern, Yin Yang Dress ~

eh.  It started off with two solids, the wine and a black linen.  The black and wine together looked so somber, like I was a penitent.  I couldn't bare to wear it.  I'm looking for a good match for it.  And I don't even like the dress that much.  The concept is good.  Maybe if I hot-washed and dried it.  It looks so big, even for my likes.

~ le vintage jewel ~

~ and of course, les sox et shoes ~

Nevertheless, I'm showing up for Patti's and the Visibles at Not Dead Yet Style, Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like, and Cherie's Shoe and Tell when they all go live.  See you there!