Home Decor & Crafts

Still playing a little catch-up........ Here are some pics from home decor and craft projects.


I believe I am STUCK on orange, chocolate (both color and food) and earth tones. We found a chocolate, gold and blue (never a 1st choice for me, but a surprisingly gorgeous color combination) drapery fabric for our roman shades. I couldn't get enough of the accent colors, so I trimmed out the sofa cushion with the drapery stripe, some coordinating fringe against......what.....more chocolate.



The 3rd picture is from our kitchen window. What is amazing to me is that all the fabrics used throughout our home were chosen at different points in time----not the same shopping trip. My Mom says that I am a brown woman, with a brown truck, living in a brown house and married to a brown man. I guess this is the one area in my life where I am consistent!! :^)
(model: our neighbors' son---Go Steelers!) For my boys' birthday parties with an art theme, I made aprons for all of the guests with their names painted on the pockets. This was definitely 1 project where I got to use up the left over jean and gabardine material hogging up space. ;^).
My first Kids' chair was made for my sorority chapter's auction fundraiser. Here's a funny---the person who won this item asked me what it was. :^) I'm thinking the unique pillow must have thrown them off? Ha-Ha!!

My friend decorated her daughters' bedroom with an outdoors, bug theme. So, of course, for Christmas, I made coordinating theme pillow covers for their beds. Yeah....Auntie M got lots of love that Christmas!! :^)

Here's a Pattern Review: New Look #6522

• Pattern Rating: Easy
• My Rating: Very Easy
• Skills Required: Pattern measure, sizing, selection, cutout---stitching straight seams, layers to a center point---hand stitching to finish
• Instructions: Clear with detailed visual aides
• Lining Options: Pattern pieces are same for fashion (outer) and lining (inner) fabrics.
• Oops Moment: None.
• Do Again? Absolutely! Made 2 more in that extra jean material still left over.
• Recommend? Absolutely! For those of us with a "large brain", this custom hat is a doable options that looks great finished.

Sex and The City Fans.....

(source: www.businessweek.com) If you missed opening night for the public at large, you've got to get your ticket ASAP! I really enjoyed the movie........just like another episode at home. What was funny to me was the fact that there were maybe 10 guys in the theatre. I guess this movie would qualify for Chick-Flick status? :^)

I had a lot of expectations about the fashion statements and the girl-talks. What I did not expect was the amount of flesh!! And, I'll leave it at that.

Another thing that was funny for me, was the audience participation on character appearances and emotional turns. You would have thought it was a live performance. :^)

While watching the movie and reminiscing on the old episodes, I tried to find ME in the characters. I found that I could not choose just one. For now, I believe I present a Miranda appearance; living a Charlotte lifestyle; a Samantha flair for change; rounding it out with a Carrie love (wink, wink for the movie goers) for the written gift of gab. How about you??

My Testimony-----God is Good!

When you are fulfilling God's purpose for your life, you can be a blessing to others. I thank all of the Angels that were there to help me focus on doing this and to God for preparing me to be a help to others. Just when you think that your special skills or talents (at whatever level) are of no consequence........think again. Who ever you are.....keep on doing what you do best! It all works in His mighty plan.

It was (still is) prom season and I got a call the morning of the prom. The mother was 'hustling' to correct what could have been an awful experience. Through a friend of my brother, she contacted me said that the seamstress that she was working with had a stroke and could not finish. In my mind, I'm thinking hem......maybe take in the sides. When she came to me, there were 'pieces' of a dress......no hem......no zipper......no straps adjusted. And, by the way, there were 2 dresses in need of finishing. Trying to manage expectations while delivering a wearable product in what would be the veritable '11th hour'---I marched on to making it right. Almost 9 hours later......2 dresses were completed, smiles all around and our home became prom central!

I am still reeling from the awesome feeling of being able to help in a time of need. The families were so happy that they sent flowers to say thank you.....and, yes they were ORANGE! Now, you know that is my favorite color. ;^) Totally awesome!

A few more pics from old projects....

A little something for my Chic Mommies-To-Be......

(Inspiration: Isabella Oliver

empire waist wrap dress.

Source: New Look #6244)

This Chic-Mommy was the Matron-of-Honor. Her dress was selected to compliment the Bari Jay bridesmaid dresses.

My niece, who is growing right in front of my eyes, decided she wanted lace for graduation. So, my sister selected the fabrics (2 layers) and I made sure the 'unmentionables' were well covered! :^)

Did I mention that my niece is an accessory fiend---mixing diamonds and pearls! Too grown!! Man, am I refusing to give up being 29! :^)

For my mother-in-law's funeral, my son said

he wanted to look like Dad for Nanny's special day.

How could I resist??

Past Projects from my Portfolio.....

Okay---here are some pics of old projects and adventures.

With my wedding as the first major sewing project, I began the next chapter in our family’s history with sewing. (Source: Vogue 8227) With the guidance and help from my Mom and a dear family friend, we made my wedding gown, the bridesmaids’ dresses and my mother-in-law’s attire (my solo project). We traveled to the garment district in NY for the beaded fabric for my dress. I kept singing the refrain from a Huey Lewis & the News song (NY...NY....da-da-da-da-da). :^)

Side note here----I am not a photographer. Just a Mom with a camera.....that alone can be dangerous. :^) Let me know if these pics are too small to see.

By the way, I do love orange! Here are pics of the bridesmaid dresses---orange/gold lace over silk charmeuse. (Source: Vogue 9124/8818) Of course, I made one for me. Worn once and haven't seen my wedding day waistline since!! :^) Our wedding was fabulous!

The next wedding project --alterations to a bridal gown inherited from the bride's mother and bridesmaid dresses. Gotta love tradition and 'old-fashioned' ways! I liked the different arm hole finish while maintaining the dress style.

My next wedding project brought new experiences for me---a coordinating bridal cape, mandarin-style dresses for the bridesmaids, the groom’s vest & pocket square in coordinating fabric, and escorts’ bow-ties in the same coordinating fabric.

Oh yeah....this was also my experience with pulling a dress apart twice to get the right fit. Talk about 'going back to the drawing board'!!!

Lastly, here is another wedding. I've entitled this one in my portfolio as Individually United—same wedding fabrics and accents applied by personal style.

Welcome to Cre8iv'Notions by Miriam

I've gone and done it now! :^)

This is my adventure into blogging. Inspired by wonderful sites that I've visited in the world of sewing, fashion, weddings and sports, I'm hanging out my shingle.....opening my journal of thoughts....running my mouth (well, my keyboard at least).

Why Cre8iv’Notions by Miriam? The sewing of it all......Formal gowns, bridesmaids’ dresses, mens accessories, business suits, home furnishings, and costumes were creations produced from thoughts, ideas and notions. The number 8 symbolizes my experiences of change, opportunity and growth as I travel on this journey.

I look forward to sharing my projects, favorite things, general thoughts and meeting fellow bloggers of interest. Welcome to my blog!

P.S.---Happy Mother's Day!!