Mankind's Fascination with Self-Expression

It quickly came apparent last night I have almost no sewing experience. I had no idea how to read the markings on the pattern. Mom showing me how to do it became her almost basically sewing it all. I have been able to cut the fabric out and sew the straps, but that's about it. I picked the pattern from how the dress looked, but had no idea the sewing I would need to know to complete it. It requires pleating and altering because it doesn't fit my body shape quite right. I have no experience with any of this. I'm watching and trying to learn. For right now though, it has become my mother's sewing project. At least I know my mother is doing this right and I can't screw it up too badly. So I'm in here writing my blog, while she's in the other room sewing my dress. I feel bad. This was my project. I wanted to complete it, but I just don't have enough sewing experience to do something on this level. This really sucks.



The other day I picked up my artwork from the county fair. I had won in a few areas and got a whopping $27 check for my winnings. The thing is I also had the most points of all that entered in the art division so I also won the sweepstakes prize. The prize for it was $15 gift card to JoAnn's fabric. Not big winnings at all. The economy has taken it's toll on the fair for sure. Three years ago my winnings was three times as much and every year it gets more puny. I got a first place ribbon is watercolors still life, sculpture, pastels, acrylic painting of a landscape, and pen and ink. I got a second place ribbon in acrylic painting portrait and watercolors landscape.

College is starting up soon, for sorority women means preparing for fall recruitment. I was needing to get a fuchsia dress to wear one night. I could not find one that was long enough or appropriate. So the crafty girl in me decided to sew a dress then. I bought the fabric and pattern over a month ago, I think. Well mom has been busy sewing scrubs, I haven't sewed really since grade school, and I needed help. I sewed a pillow first to make sure I wasn't going to completely screw this up. Now I need the dress this Friday so I can show it to show my sisters. That way if I screw this up (I really hope I don't), I have some time left to try and find one again. So today and tomorrow will be my sewing days to start and complete this dress. Wish me luck! So I don't have to worry about it during the week when I am working and possibly working and organizing my mom's room again.

Day 18 - A picture of you and a best friend. I always disliked the best friend thing. I have a lot of really good friends and I don't like to pick one over the other. The first picture is my friend Rachel. We have literally know each other since she was born and after 21 years we are still great friends. The next picture is me and my big sister in my sorority. I haven't seen her all summer and it has felt so weird. The bottom picture is with me is Kay and David. I can say that David is my best guy friend. He can drive me insane, he did more in high school than now, but things wouldn't be fun without it.

This photo challenge made me realize that posting every day is very hard to do. Days I knew I would not be able to get to my laptop, I would have to write them the day before and set to post the next day. I missed the photo challenge yesterday and won't be able to catch up until this weekend. My sister has a deadline to finish her book in 2 weeks. To help her I will be watching her boys and providing ideas when needed (so I must be current with her writing). Also artwork is due for the county fair on Sunday....... oh I have two pieces to finish, and three more I planned on completing. I still have to mat the pieces. Oh did I tell you my brother and sister-in-law just got their first "house" together. They are having a party to celebrate on Saturday for friends and family. What is free time?

Also this photo challenge has made me realize that I not doing as much with my art. I love photography, but it's not my forte. I want to focus more on my work and projects. That's what I am trying to grow and improve in. I'm still participating in the Get Prospective project. I just can't do this every day any more. I will finish though, just probably not until Saturday.

Day 14 - A picture taken with your cell phone. This was one taken a few months ago. I was driving home from my college campus on the interstate and my tire blew. I knew I had a leak in it but didn't realize it was that bad. It was a cold night, phone almost dead, and I didnt want to waste my gas. So instead of leaving my car run, I just had the battery running for my phone. Yeah...... my car battery also died waiting for my brother to come and help me with my tire. Now I have another tire with a leak in it. I tried to get a patch but they said they couldnt do it because it has a tear. That was two weeks ago when i found that out and I have yet to get a new tire. I know I'm asking for trouble. I'll need to get one soon, since I will be driving on the interstate twice this coming week.

Day 13 - A picture from last summer. This was exactly one year ago, the night before July 4th. This is a picture of me and my good friend Hannah. I miss her terribly. She goes to WKU, which is, I think 2 hours from my home and another hour from my college EKU. We are on the opposite sides of the state it feels like. Our work schedules also make it impossible to visit each other. I work M-F 9-5:30 and she works all day Saturday and Sunday. Her birthday is coming up next week, July 7th. So HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY HANNAH!!!!! I miss you......