Playing Catch-up

Whew! It has been a while......I am still trying to figure out how Divas juggle their family, their craft, themselves and a blog site. Any and all feedback welcomed on this one. That Kelly Ripka commercial makes it look so easy! :^)

What has happened in the last 8 months........

June 2008---Okay---this was summertime. It's either on-line posting or fun in the sun----you know where that left my blogsite, right? Anyway, we treated my hubby to golf and dinner at his favorite spot---Ruth Chris for Fathers' Day. We celebrated 13 years of marriage with a 'kiss'---wink, wink. We had a blast with the boys on our family beach vacation in Ocean City!

July 2008---We celebrated my Mom turning 29 again!! :^) I completed a home decor project (draperies, window seat cushions, roman shades, dining room chair covers, cornice boxes) and a custom garment project (sundresses for a Mommy-to-be).

August 2008---Completed another home decor project----dining room chairs covers and coordinating cornice box with linen shades. Pics to come......... On a personal note, we began our homeschooling adventure----Yay! Another personal note, my god-son started at Bucknell University----Go Christian! Yeah!!!

September 2008----1st Homeschool Field trip to the Balimore Acquarium and the Dolphin Show. The guys had a blast. Completed some alteration projects: bridal gown (removed lace straps & adjusted waist in for better fit) and cuffed hems/waist adjustments on some items from my hubby's closet. (Side note: His tailor passed away about a year ago......so, I'm picking up where he left off. ) After receiving the 'grunt & grimace' approval on the adjustments; I moved forward on a custom vest and pants set. Pics to come. I sew for my little guys all the time and am looking forward to adding to my big guy's wardrobe! This month, we celebrated my Sister turning '21' again? (Ha-ha---remember Mom won't move off of 29). To round out this month-- Vegas Baby- Our Own Girlfriends' Getaway. I have been told several times that What Happens in Vegas.....STAYS IN VEGAS. So, all I can say is that the Hoodie Awards show was so much better than I had expected, the spa at Mandalay Bay was fabulous and B-52s are a wonderful thing!

October 2008---We re-acquainted ourselves to the world of Duckpin Bowling for our youngest son's 3rd birthday---what a knee-slapper! His ball delivery was so slow it got down the bowling lane and started rolling back. Check out the bowling pin backpack party bags (quilted batting, woven straps & belt adjuster) I made for the guests. Interested in having these for your next bowling party? Send me an email.

Model: The Birthday Boy

velcro opening--easy access for the kids and

adjustable belt clip for smaller guests. Also, this month, I turned 23 again...Happy Birthday to me---Yahoo! I began the sewing room organization project---group thread, refold and sort fabric, pull together supplies, clear off cutting board, organize patterns. The one item that I don't have an answer for-----what to do with scraps?? Do you recycle scraps? If so, or have any scrap use ideas, let me know!!

November 2008---Barack the Vote '08! Celebrated Thanksgiving---pulled out the China; prepared a fabulous meal; thanked God for all of His blessings bestowed upon us; prayed for all in need.

December 2008---Celebrated my son's 6th birthday with a family trip to Bumper Cars on Ice. This is the one that had to have an outfit like his Dad's for my mother-in-law's funeral (see earlier post with pics). We had a ball! Also, did the family trip to the Winter Festival of Lights.

Sewing project---and my first pattern review, Butterick #5295.

• Pattern Rating: Easy
• My Rating: Easy
• Skills Required: Pattern measure, sizing, selection, cutout---tracing pattern markings onto fabric--- stitching straight seams, darts, buttonholes & “in the ditch”
• Instructions: Clear with detailed visual aides
• Lining Options: Pattern comes with lining pieces (which I prefer for a better drape on the body). Uses what I call an “envelope” approach---put fabric pieces together, then lining pieces, stitch fabric coat to lining coat @ right sides, flip inside-out, hand-finish hem.
• Oops Moment: Since I altered the collar for a dramatic effect, I altered the side that joins to the back versus the side that is the outer edge. It worked…no puckers.
• Do Again? Absolutely! See next post--- Inaugural Viewing Party ensemble.
• Recommend? Absolutely! It’s a classic look with the waist-defining darts, resulting in a fashion-forward finish. Loved it!

The Choir Director requested a new outfit for the Church Holiday Program that could be worn again for semi-formal occasions. We went with black wool crepe, bridal satin detailing. The jacket/overcoat (Butterick #5295 above) design utilized darts as the 'WOW' factor defining the waistline area. The pencil styled skirt contained black bridal satin detailing at the waist and rear kick-pleat opening (see pics below).

Aarrrgh!! this 2nd pic is determined not to appear right-side up. So, if you tilt your left ear to your left shoulder, you should see the satin trim on the skirt waist band below the olive print fabric.

Lastly, we celebrated Christmas at home. Check out my reversible tree skirt----I used velour fabric and fringe trim pieces (from 3 years ago) for that cozy look.

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!!