RIP Black & White Challenge Project

So there are still about 30 min left for the Black & White Challenge as I type this. I had about two hours or so to go when I sat down to see if I could salvage my project before the deadline. I thought I succeeded. I was wrong.

Doesn't look so bad, right? Well, I got to the end and found out that the sleeves just do not work. They don't fit, and I couldn't even take a picture that wasn't embarrassing to prove it. **Sigh**

Just a quick rewind: I blogged about my fabric and pattern here. I always have these visions in my head regarding what I want something to look like, and then the finished product happens and it just doesn't come together. Kind of like on the blog Pinterest fails. If that makes any sense at all.

I learned a lot from this project, even though it is unfinished:

• I need to have more patience. Goodness gracious do I need patience.
• Working on my pattern cutting/prepping skills will help me succeed in future projects. Again: PATIENCE.
• Silk Shantung or whatever that lace-like fabric is made from is awful. Not for beginners, folks. Not for beginners.

Hopefully during the next challenge I won't be cutting it so close and there will be a completed and modeled garment to show.

I'll be linking everyone else's projects soon. For now--I'm going to bed!

Life Lately: Stocking Up

Life lately has been crazy to say the least. Crazy good, though. It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks at work, and then I spent two weekends in a row at my parents' house. Both weekends were full of card making, DIY projects and me stocking up my stashes. Now all I have to do is organize it all! I've stocked up mostly on fabric and my weakness: paper.

This week I will be cleaning up my bedroom and organizing my craft/sewing space with a possible reveal this weekend. Hopefully that all will lead up to me finishing my project for the Black & White Challenge and the Laurel contest. They both end next week.

Life lately in photos:

My weekend DIY: a new tray to add a pop of color to our coffee table. I'm a horrible DIYer though...I didn't take a "before" picture!

My mom and I spent Saturday with a trip to Hollo's Paper Craft in New Brunswick, Ohio. So. Much. Cardstock.

A thank you card I made while at my parents' house.

I'm also stocked up on fabric! Between an online deal AND a trip to Jomar in Philadelphia, Pa., I have no excuse to not work on more sewing projects.

Life Lately: April Edition

So I haven't been awful and posting, but I'm still not doing a good job and keeping an up-to-date blog on my life. It's been harder right now because I haven't been doing much as far as sewing or crafting. I started my Black & White Challenge project, and I'm kind of stuck in a rut. The neck binding is giving me a headache even though I keep telling myself I'm a beginner. I've been busy elsewhere though. Here's some proof:

  

Sorry for the poor photos and weird photo layout. Blogger and I are not friends right now.

On Saturday I made a Peanut Butter Pie for Easter--only 6 points per slice! I got the recipe over at Skinnytaste, one of my favorite WW blogs. It was definitely less stressful to know what I was eating for dessert and how many points it was (event though I've had a bad food week). I also went for a run on Saturday because it was FINALLY sunny outside! I don't know if it's been doom and gloom where you are, but it has been so drab here.

I've been getting into some extra reading for work as you can see. I totally recommend buying at least one book that is in your field to help you personal/professional growth outside of your job. Or, just a book about something that really interests you! 

My Laurel pattern came in the mail last week and I am in the process of measuring and cutting out the pattern. I bought some fabric online (which I hope to show you tomorrow--it should finally be here) to build my stash, and there is a pretty little number I am planning to use for my first Laurel. But BEFORE that I'm actually going to make a muslin! I have some old bedsheets that will work just fine to make sure I have everything just right before I slice into my final fabric. We'll see how that goes!

I'll be traveling for work next week so I am hoping to get a lot done before then. Hopefully I'll have something to show for my non-blogging habits soon. Maybe I'll even show you guys my terrible top that I am trying (too) hard to perfect.