Thursday, September 25, 2008

From Blah to Boutique

I am not a seamstress by any means. I have made pretty decent curtains (if I may say so myself) for our previous homes, but I have NO idea how to read a pattern. The only time I attempted clothing was for my "skirt and tote" 4-H project in 5th grade. I accidentally doubled the fabric and made the skirt so full, I could have jumped off a high-rise building and parachuted down. It really was a disaster. But, I love personalizing things and will jump at the chance to add a personal touch to items if I can. So... when I was in J.o-Ann F.abrics the other day buying painting supplies, I saw these "O.n the D.ot Fabric Yo-Yo" embellishments and couldn't resist them. I can, after all, sew on a button. So, for a mere $16 investment (yo-yos and buttons; enough to make two), I headed over to T*arget to see what I could find to match. Turns out, I found a cute little $6 tunic and $4 leggings. (Hello, bargain!)

The "Before"
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The "After"

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I am so pleased with the final product, I have already gone back and purchased supplies to make more. I thought Leila might think it was too childish, but she loves Mia's and has asked that I make her a top. I'm going to try to tackle that tonight. It doesn't take long at all.

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It was such a beautiful fall morning, I took Mia over to the lake for a little fashion photo shoot.

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I wish it could be fall all year round. I just love it!!

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I plan on improving the hair accessory for the next one. I think this one looks a little bit like I stuck a drink umbrella on the top of her head. LOL ;-)

23 comments:

Ohilda said...

How cool is that? I LOVE IT! Even the hair accessory. You are so creative. My Mom is an amazing seamstress and so was my grandmother, needless to say I did NOT inherit those talents.

But...I may just be heading over to JoAnn's fabrics soon (thanks to you!).

Hugs,

Ohilda

Michelle said...

Absolutely adorable!! GOOD job! :)

Ronda said...

I love it! I think you are on to something here-maybe some little side cash business =). Mia models the outfit perfectly!
Ronda

Leslie said...

Now how cute is that. You are so creative Michelle. Can you send the creative gene through your blog to mine...lol. Can it work like that????

So very very cute. I love this weather also.

a Tonggu Momma said...

That is REALLY adorable!!! I wish I had an ounce of seamstress talent.

Sarah said...

how pretty!!! wow!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Leila looks adorable....you are so clever!

What a way to jazz up simple shirts and pants....very talented...I can barely sew a button:)

Have a good night!

Lisa

missy said...

You crafty thing, you! I am quite impressed with this project. I particularly love the model! Could Mia be any cuter??? I don't think so : )

That little outfit looks like something I would pay big bucks for on ETSY!

You go girl!

Tisha said...

Michelle,

Your girls are gorgeous and your site is beautiful! Thank you for posting to our blog and answering my question. I just love finding other Russian/Eastern European and China adoptive families. The Russian adoption community is not nearly as involved as the China community. Maybe families like us and Leslie can change that. :) It is nice to meet you and I look forward to getting to know you better.

Sincerely,
Tisha

Faye said...

Michelle-- that is so cute. I need to try that for Alex. She would probably love it. Great idea and great job

LaLa said...

You are so creative and you KNOW I am totally stealing this idea!!! You have a beautiful model too : )

mommy24treasures said...

aodrable and I am even less craftier than you, I cannot sew a button!;)
I love this idea though... I might have to show hubbby! He sews the buttons around here;)We love Target.

Heather said...

Great work Mama!!!! I love it. Mia is entirely too sweet.

Can't wait to see the next version:)

Have a wonderful end of the week.
Love,
Heather

Jboo said...

Wow -- that is very cool -- you did a great job! I am very impressed. And great photos too!

Janet

Michelle said...

Cute!! What a nice idea. I love the picture of her on the bridge leaning against the wood. Great photos!!

Anonymous said...

OH MY HECK~ girl you are too good!!! I love this outfit! And Mya is just the cutest model for it!

Have a wonderful weekend my friend!

Hugs,

Krista

Patty said...

I bought the same outfit for Mar'yana last week..great minds think alike! Yours is much cuter with the embellishments..thanks for the tip!

Lori said...

Just adorable and very boutique!!
Love the pictures too!!

Green Family said...

You have quite the model :) Projects like these are so fun...I wish I could sew!!
Are you all getting ready for the holidays? Seems funny to think about...but for us there are back to back birthdays, celebrations, etc. between July and January...and then we crash :) Hope all is well out there! I love your blog...always makes me smile.
Kelly

day by day said...

You are so clever, Michelle! That is adorable. Such sweet pictures of Mia....I just love her smile!

Have a great week-end!!

Annette said...

Wow Michelle, that is really cute! What a great imagination!!!

Megan said...

I am so impressed Michelle! Still thinking I need to convert to digital.... Also as I look at all the new updated pictures of the kids it reminds me I am not taking pictures NEARLY as much as I used to!!

Don and Lisa Osborn said...

First, I am laughing at your sewing description of the skirt you made. You're sew funny...Couldn't resist the corny pun. You are genius!!!

Love it and love how beautiful it all turned out with your creative eye...Of course, Mia could've been in a burlap sack and she'd be beautiful.

xoxo~
Lisa