Week 31: Val

Jul 18, 2011 | 27 Comments

OK, it’s back into the swing of things!!  We’ve got some family in town so it’s been on the go – I feel like a tourist again in LA, which is really fun.  This polka dotted piece came from Miss Val in Eugene, OR and is going to be the weekend wares!

Week 31: Val - Before

Week 31: Val - Before

“Miss Mariss, I grabbed this when I was thrifting at Goodwill during my last stop.  I think the colors are really pretty, but it definitely needs some work.  It’s like a pastel snowstorm and hail patterned dress, LOL.  Can’t wait to see the finished product, girl.”

Ha, it’s totally a scattered showers dress Val!!  Lots of dots and even a few holes…

Big hole!

Big hole!

Not the most fun dress right now, but we’ll get it to a chic spot (PUN!!) in no time!!

The holes were on the seam keeping together the top from the skirt, so I decided to just remove the skirt from the piece.

Removal at the seam!

Removal at the seam!

Once I got it in two, I took the shirt and cut a vertical slit down the center to the waist and peeled back both sides.

From one to two pieces!

From one to two pieces!

I stitched down the center and rehemmed the bottom of the piece.

Almost done!!

Almost done!!

With the addition of a hot pink polka dotted belt from J Crew that I thrifted for $2, I went to the abstract market :)

Just doing some Farmer's Marketing...

Just doing some Farmer's Marketing...

Our cousins from Austria just hit LA so we did the circuit…

We stopped by the Hollywood sign with about 75 other visitors…

Cousins!!

Cousins!!

…before stopping at In-N-Out for a little treat!

Mmm!

Mmm!

A trip to LA isn’t complete without a stop here…

Hello Bowl!!

Hello Bowl!!

Since I virtually live at the Hollywood Bowl, this one was easy :)

Le Bowl

Le Bowl

We relaxed to Sarah McLachlan crooning all night with the Bowl Orchestra.  It brought me back to 1995 when I was in high school when I listened to her on repeat!

Sarah!

Sarah!

We had a blast and since we were in the area…

La Famiglia!

La Famiglia!

…we stopped at Grauman’s Chinese Theater where it was decked out like Hogwarts for Harry Potter!!

Potter Frenzy!

Potter Frenzy!

PS, is it blasphemous that I haven’t seen any of them??  I always wanted to read the books before seeing the movies but that never came to fruition!

SV found Matt Damon’s prints right in front…if the shoe fits!!

SF or Matt Damon?

SF or Matt Damon?

And all this touristing happened on the Carmageddon weekend too…  I got to places faster than I’ve ever gotten to them before and the below…

Carmageddon, what?!

Carmageddon, what?!

…this weekend might be the only time my traffic stats on Google Maps looks this green!!

In all
  • http://chasingfabrics.blogspot.com/ Wiola

    Oh that’s a cute top! Love it. :)

  • btejkl

    Cute top.  I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with the rest:) HINT, HINT

  • http://www.wom-mom.com WOM-MOM Ethne

    I’d say it is a bit blasphemous that you haven’t read or seen the Harry Potter stories!!  You’ll love them and they are easy reads, even on your busy schedule.  Do you ever have dinner in girl?  Wish I was there touring LA too.

  • http://lifeoflovely.blogspot.com Elizabeth M

    You should definitely read and see the Harry Potter series!  In fact, maybe watch the movies before reading the books because then you won’t be bothered by the things that were changed in them.

  • Cynthia

    Very cute shirt, I never saw that one coming!! I admit it scared me when you said cut it down the middle to the waist and peeled it back, but WOW I really like it!!! ;)

    May I just say…SEE THE MOVIES FIRST!!!! The movies are fun and very well done. However, as is true for most stories, the books are so so very very very much better!! You will be disappointed by the movies, if you read first. I know I started out watching the movies and feel in love, so I read all the books before the movies finished coming out. I still liked the movies, but I found myself noticing all the missing parts and not really enjoying the movie.

    • mary

      I think READ THE BOOKS FIRST – way more fun to envision everything in your mind, your way before seeing the studio’s take on it. The detail in the book is so rich and the plot so huge that having seen the movies, you’ll already know where it’s going… not nearly as fun. :)

  • DinaB

    One of my favorite things about you is how close you are with your family.  I just love that your parents and brother are right there with you on this amazing life transformation that you are experiencing over the past two years or so. Love the hottie cousins : O too!

    The belt really helps the shirt pop and your smile certainly adds to the fun!  Love the top but I would love to see a brighter tank top under it. The greenish-tan is bringin me down. A hot pink or sunny yellow would really hit the spot!

  • CaraLynn

    I totally looked for you at le bowl on Saturday!

  • http://fashioneggplant.blogspot.com/ mseggplant

    i love what you did with the dress, the addition of the belt makes it extra chic :)

  • GigHarborJoyce

    Read the HP books first!  They are phenom!  The last movie was epic, and it was well done, but the books will fill in the holes in the movies. 

  • Christine H.

    Wish I hadn’t read the HP books yet and still had them to read for the first time.  Altho now rereading them is like comfort food.

    Love the top and love what you’re doing.  It is so inspiring.  I’ve remade a bunch of baggy t-shirts thanks to you.  One of these days I’ll get some pics and send them your way.

  • http://wikinutarticlecategories.blogspot.com/ Rashima

    Very cute and lovely making!

  • Martyso

    Watch the movies first. I am an elementary school librarian and think you should read the books but all the people that have read the books right before they saw the movie were disappointed about all the stuff that was left out.
    I read the book a long time ago and didn’t really notice all that was left out.

    • Cindy

      My daughter would agree with you. She read the books first, and is always telling me what they left out.

  • Clare

    I haven’t read the books or seen the movies either, so no worries.

  • guest

    haha that’s awesome about the traffic…   i love the shirt too.   AND OMG, your family lives in AUSTRIA??!!!  I have always wanted to go there!

  • nanana

    definitely read the books first! i didn’t get into Harry Potter until the 3rd movie, and I started reading the books then.

    what i’ve learned is that you shouldn’t be disappointed by what they leave out from the books, but rather be happy for what was executed well.

    great piece! keep itup!

  • Idaho Gal

    What’s with all the blue this week?  You trying to tell us something?  Perk up!

  • Jessica A.

    Potter movies first. The movies will be ruined for you if you do it the other way around. As always, wonderful creation.

  • Carol

    I am a big “Friday Night Lights”.  Will definitely miss the show but the finale was wonderful.

  • http://SilverLiningsToo.etsy.com Copper1cent

    This has been an adventure for me to see you from blog to book!   Your living the dream – doing what you love (and making a living doing it).  I take great inspiration from you and wish you all the best this world has to offer.  Ride this adventure for all its worth!!!  YOU GO GIRL!!! 

  • http://mymadeupstory.blogspot.com/ My Made Up Story

    Cute jacket! I love the blue with the little polka dots!

  • Katharina

    Amazing work, as usual! But sweetie, you have got to get on those books and movies ASAP!

  • makeovermamma

    My husband and I are Friday Night Lights fans too. Sorry to see the show go! They tried to end it once before and brought it back. Thought we would get a few more seasons. :( I do wish they would have showed the winning pass though for state. Go Lions/Panthers!

  • Dani-Jae

    Best driving ever!! I got everywhere i needed without one episode of road rage!! I wish it were carmaggedon every weekend. My (unsolicited) advice….read the books dont bother with the movies.

  • Alice

    Oh my goodness, you’ve never read/watched harry potter? GOOD LORD WOMAN! Fix this. Now. Go out, buy the first one. Harry potter and the sorcerers stone. You will be addicted!

  • Jime

    I think that what you do is absolutely AMAZING! I’d honestly wear everything you make. Congratulations on your abilities and inspiration