ode to my wonderful nana (and her wonderful sewing machine)

My grandmother was a wonderful woman. Formally named Carmela, she was known to most as Nana, Mom or Nellie (there was also a period, while in kindergarten, that she inconspicuously changed her name to Carol, because of her dislike for the nickname 'Nellie', but that's probably another story, for another time). Not only was she amazingly beautiful, nurturing, fun-spirited and loving, she was a woman of many many talents. She could cook (obviously). She could garden (I guess I didn't get this gene). She could put a smile on your face. AND, she could SEW. I owe her a lot of thank yous (I think we all do). So, thank you Nana. Thank you, first and foremost, for being you. And, thank you for teaching my mom, who later taught me, to cook, garden, and master the art of the sewing machine.

But back to this 'ode'. My grandmother could sew anything. She'd pick out a dress, a pair of slacks, a jumper, you name it, from Filene's (which she pronounced 'Fill-eens'), bring it home, copy it to the TEE, and take it back (cutting the cost by at least half). I have a long way to go, since I can't even thread a bobbin without doing it manually (yes, pathetic, I know), but Nellie is my inspiration and with her on my side, I can conquer the world. She did.

So, last week, I found myself down in her basement, helping my uncle clean out some old stuff. I found a lot of junk, a few little treasures. And one BIG treasure: her 'Dressmaster' (yes, that is the brand) sewing machine. It's not just a sewing machine, like the white, plastic, boxed machines made in today's era. It's a piece of furniture.

(this picture was taken, at its most open position)

And, then I got a bit carried away...

(all folded up, posing as a vanity)

(the ABC's of White Magic Sewing. a booklet including patterns for dress up vestees, if you're ever looking for such a pattern!)

The machine is made of steel. It's heavy. It's beautiful. It is timeless. And it will last forever. My grandmother was made of steel (I mean, she had to have been. the things she could complete, in that little body of hers. she was a force of nature). She was beautiful. And the imprint she left in my heart will last forever.

I am forever inspired.

sneak peek.

The unveiling time has arrived. For the one piece that I've finished (man, I need to get going here), at least. So, here is a little sneak peek. Not completed just yet. And I know it doesn't look like much, but it took a large orange extension cord (I realized that my sewing room only has one plug. ONE. In the entire room.), a bloody cuticle and a trip to the convenience store (well, a trip for Tom), only to realize that they don't sell bandaids (next time I'll use a thimble), to get this far! So, positive feedback only, please.

With an abundance of this tried-and-true, steal-of-the-century, flea market found- fabric, I was in luck.

Strings still attached. Button not sewn on just yet. But, I think it's a good start. It may not make it into the final cuts for my Etsy store, but, I'm learning each and every day.

and...I'M BACK.

Well, hello there. I am greatly sorry for my two-week hiatus (or longer), but not that you really care (I understand that my dinky little blog isn't really at the top of your to-do lists each day, although it would be really cool if it was). I promise not to leave you for that long again. It's one of those things, like going to the gym, that once you stop, it's very easy to continue stopping. Like, when I stopped writing in my blog, I also took a gym hiatus, and well, I haven't been back since.

So time for blogging and gymming starts up AGAIN, today. I swear.

In light of wedding season, and wearing all different dresses that require all different purses, clutches, etc., today I will be sewing a clutch. A simple clutch, that can be made and remade in all different colors. Because I, for one, have some crazy colored dresses to wear this summer.

See you soon.

Sincerely,

your favorite blog-author - Dena

to reverse or not to reverse.

A clutch, that is.

What is the consensus? totally tacky? or brilliant? Is it one of those things that you would buy but then hide from your friends? or would you flaunt it (whatever that 'it' may be, in your case) with pride?

I've been toying with the idea of creating a reversible clutch. Then, I get awful images in my head: fluorescent windbreakers (pink on one side, green on the other), terribly bulky sweatshirts, hideous UMBRO shorts (always white on one side). These images are of my childhood, which took place in the 80s and 90s, and they are NOT pretty. Insert the big hair and puffy painted socks and I want to hide my head in shame for decades of horrendous dress.

So, can it work (in a non-tacky sort of way)? I'm not quite sure, but I think I will take a gander. Check out these reversible rugs at Apartment Therapy - Reversible Rugs: Double Your Decor Options. Pretty cool, eh (I think so too)? They definitely work, right? I like them so much that I may even have to pick one up.

So, take a leap of faith with me, will you?

day one: organization (baby steps).

Okay, so the challenge is set. The deadline is in place. And now, I need to get organized. What I really mean by this is I need to turn my giant, oversized closet (aka. our spare bedroom) into my creating space.

Step one: get rid of old clothes and take to Goodwill. Check and check.

Step two: de-trash, de-clutter and de-furnish (only the useless furniture, of course). Check, check and CHECK.

Step three: set up SEWING MACHINE. CHECK.

Step four: sit back and adoringly compare the before and after. 

CHECK. 

This is a good start, right? I know it looks as baron and uninspiring as a sweatshop, but that won’t last. I plan to visit my mother’s flea market (err, I mean basement) this weekend (remember, I’m on a very TIGHT budget), so before long, the décor will be plentiful.

Next stop: FABRIC STORE (well, first my mom's pseudo-flea market and THEN to the fabric store I will go). 

operation: starting an etsy shop on a [VERY tight] budget.

You all know that I have quite a bit of time on my hands, right? But, have I told you that I dream of being self-employed? Well, I do (along with half the world, I'm sure). Unrealistic, definitely. Doable? possibly. Does that make sense? not sure.

Well, I'm going to try. My first mission is to create an Etsy shop (my second mission will be to make a *successful* Etsy shop, but one step at a time, ladies and gents). My deadline: September 1st. And, here on my blog, I plan to chronicle my headaches, triumphs, obstacles and victories, in a very Julie Powell-esque-inspired manner. As in, if I could achieve the fame that she did for mastering the art of french cooking in 365 days (laugh, if you will), I will forever be a hero (in my own eyes, anyways).

So, I have 108 days to create a shop on Etsy. My shop will have handmade items: some clothing, accessories (including, but not limited to, earrings, headbands, belts), and handbags. I am a sucker for standout vintage pieces also, so I will include the occasional vintage item (if I find any that I can live without keeping in my own wardrobe, that is). I will have 30 pieces for sale with, at least, 10 items in backstock. So, 40 items in 108 days. If Julie Powell can cook 524 recipes in 365 days, then I can create/find 40 items in 108 days. I am sure of it.

The challenge begins tomorrow, so check back for what I hope to be more triumphs than defeats!


[credits to my big brother for the inspiration]

my thumb is black.

It's also what many people refer to as a 'hammer thumb', BUT, that is a another story for a another day.

Black generally signifies death, right? Well, my thumb pretty much does too, when it comes to gardening, anyways. I kill all plants. It is not intentional, though. It's completely inevitable. 

So, this is the year, where my black thumb TURNS GREEN. I have plans, BIG plans for my immense garden. But first, I have done some [much needed] research.

The first of my problems relates to the absurd amount of weeds that have overtaken the flower beds, which once a upon a time (aka. before we lived here!), looked quite beautiful. In light of being eco-friendly and saving my grass-, weed-, flower-eating canine from a terribly upset stomach, these tips will hopefully become my life savers...

4 Eco-Friendly Ways to Kill Weeds

So, what caught my eye about this article? I don't know, but maybe the question, 'If your backyard is beginning to look like a wilderness campground, it may be time to get rid of the weeds.' Yes, I think it is time. And for the record, both my front and backyards are beginning to look like said wilderness campground.

My next problem: CHIVES. I have wild chives growing in my backyard. I can't rake without crying. I can't cut the grass without PUKING (over the awful B.O. stench). Based on my research, these are, apparently, just weeds, so I'm assuming they can be handled the same way as the rest of the weeds. Keep your fingers crossed.

As soon as I can get my problem areas tackled, I can get to the fun part: color (flowers) and herbs and veggies. And the goal here: DO NOT KILL.

Check back for my progress. I'm thinking Friday will be THE DAY THAT I TRANSFORM MY YARD.