Tuesday Giveaway!

Happy Tuesday!! I've been doing a bit of spring cleaning and have been coming across things I forgot I had!  It's like finding money in the pocket of your newly washed jeans...that never fails to get me excited, no matter how much it is!  I came across these coral-colored wooden beads in my sorting and since I haven't worn them in eons - I barely remembered that they existed - I figured they'd be a lovely complement to these fun, floral, costume earrings to giveaway!  (The earrings are brand new, BT-dubs...)

To enter, leave a comment below with something that you've found while you've been spring cleaning that got you super excited or something that you've lost that you just can't remember where it went!  Maybe it was something that you had no recollection of having, something that ended up getting left in your possession after an old roommate/significant other moved out...or something that just simply vanished.

I remember I had this brown cardigan with a monogrammed "M" on the front of it that somehow just disappeared.  I think I have klepto ghosts in my house sometimes when I can't find something.  It's like, really ghosts?  Can you just give me back the remote?  OK, the ghosts don't really exists...just my way of blaming something else for my momentary absentmindedness :)

Also, for all of  you guys nearby or in Oklahoma or with family members in the tornado areas, I send all my good thoughts, prayers, and love your way :)

Monday Remake - Kelly Green Sundress

This dress came from a swap party I went to a few months back.  I saw the colors and the print...

...and scooped it up when nobody was taking it.  I just love the pink and green combo and wanted it to be mine!!

I feel like the print should have little whales or anchors on it just mainly for the color!  The dress was just a little too big, so all I wanted to do was make it fit...here goes a few adjustments to do just that!

I started with the length first!  It hit me just a smidge lower than the knees and I wanted it a little shorter.  I cut off around four inches from the bottom...

...and then prepared a new hem!

Now the body of the piece was just too bit for me as well.  I loved the scalloped edging (and scallops too, mmm, if anyone was wondering) and wanted to get rid of all the extra space right at the arms.  When I tried the dress on, I pinched about an inch on each side to take in, and set down my pins.

I stitched the hem...

...and then stitched the body...

...and made two final adjustments before slipping the piece on!  I retied the thin pink straps to make them a little shorter and did a little cinch and pinch action at the bust and safety pinned this area in place.

I put on my new dress and it fit perfectly!!

I love the new length too!  It's not a huge difference, but I like that you can see my knees!

There was a breeze in the air and the dress just moved so effortlessly.

It's the perfect summer dress!!

I love that it works dressed down with flip flops on a Sunday afternoon or dressed up a bit more for a meeting or a get-together with gals for dinner.

Who's got two thumbs and wearing this dress again today because it's going to be about 83 degrees out??  Yep, you called it :)

Happy Monday, friends!

Kristi's NDAD Creations

Today's post is a bit difficult for me and it comes with a heavy heart.  The lovely Kristi Badger, someone who I only met virtually via this blog through her comments and most recently some emails, passed away on Wednesday.  She was battling four types of cancer and the last email I had with her was about a month ago after I posted about Robin Hoods, the company that began a Kickstarter campaign to fund a line of headwear for women with hair hardships.  We planned to have a Robin Hood head cover get sent her way. I've been struggling the past few days because I wish I had gotten this up sooner for her to see it.  I was hoping that I'd get to see a photo of her in her Robin Hood and feature that along with her creations and all the info on her inspirational cancer blog she started.  It's one of those moments that play over and over in your mind and it's been incredibly difficult for me to sit with it.  I will say that when I started this blog, I had no idea how the amazing community of readers would touch me so much.  Not only am I inspired by your creativity, I am inspired by you as human beings.

Today's post is a celebration of Kristi.  She was the epitome of brave and you can read all about her cancer journey here - kstar76.blogspot.com.  This came from one of our last emails and I thought I'd leave you with it before I post both of her remakes that came directly from her blog.

"I have found great joy and happiness in your blog over the years.  I also have made two "new dresses," myself.  They can be found in older posts on THIS BLOG I had started right before I was diagnosed back in April of 2011.  Feel free to share the pictures on your blog if you like.  That green silhouette dress I love."  

Here are Kristi's creations...

So, I didn't realize how long it had been since I had posted something.  I just finished up a project.  The others I can't reveal until after Christmas.  Quite a few crafty Christmas gifts my friends!!  Those who know me know that I love the blog "New Dress a Day."  If you want to check it out, it can be found here.  I find it so inspiring that Marisa made a new item of clothing while spending only spending $365 in 365 days.   Please pay no attention to my messy kitchen.  So, here was the transformation of what began as a 3XL velour night gown:

It looks so big and comfy, I know.

Bringin' it on in...

Buh bye sleeves!

So long ribbon around the neck!  (Ack, dog hair!  Where did that come from?)

All ready for a holiday party!!  I added a silver chain belt I got from Target a while back to accent my tiny waist...

...then I added some black tights and some black Chinese Laundry heels I got on clearance from TJ Maxx.

What a stunner :)

Here's Kristi's second piece...

Oh by gosh by golly how I love and adore the print on this dress!

So, don't hate me but I totally didn't get a picture of it before I removed the sleeves.  Whoops, my bad!  Anyhow, here goes othing!

OK, so this is after I removed the sleeves...

...they were long, they buttoned at the wrist and now they are GONE!  (OK, not really, they are sitting on my coffee table.)

Oooo look!  Pockets!  I love 'em!

So long mid calf length, hemmed to the knee you will be!

Pin, pin, pin!

Lapels are all gone and tucked under!

I did a 'lil ruching at the sleeves - sooo super easy!  Just sew a large stitch on your sewing machine and gently pull on one of the strands.  Then sew over once you have the look you desire!

I know I look super thrilled!  Haha!  Hope you all enjoy!  I can't wait to go to the half off Goodwill sale tomorrow!  More adventures in sewing soon!

It's amazing to see someone's spirit shine through.  Even though I only "met" Kristi through online interaction, it's like I knew her.  She left this at the end of her email to me that made me tear up then when I first read it, and now is making the tears flow a little stronger.

Thanks for your inspiration and smile.  As Mister Rogers said "You make each day a special day.  Just by being you!" 

I'm returning that Mister Rogers quote right back to you, Kristi.  xo