We (heart) Sara

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Hoje é um dia especial. A nossa querida Sara, de Made by Sara celebra hoje o seu aniversário, e juntamente com algumas amigas, quisemos fazer-lhe também a ela uma grande surpresa. Porque sim, porque ela merece e porque sabe tão bem fazer alguém feliz. A Sara, para quem ainda não conhece (haverá ainda alguém?), é mãe a tempo inteiro de 3 lindas crianças, e uma excelente costureira. Uma pessoa informada, curiosa e muito generosa, sempre disposta a ajudar quem precise dela. Costura a um ritmo alucinante e cria coisas maravilhosas e acima de tudo super originais. 

Today is a special day. Our dear Sara, from  Made by Sara celebrates her birthday today, and together with a few friends, we wanted to make her a little surprise. Just because, she deserves it and because it feels good to make someone else happy. Sara, for those who don't know her yet (is still anyone yet who doesn't?), it´s a stay at home mom of 3 lovely children, and an excellent seamstress. She's a well informed person, curious and very generous too, always ready to help whoever needs her. She sews at an amazing pace and she makes wonderful and above all, super original things. 

Eu descobri o blog da Sara através da minha série Refashion Month*, como podem até ver num comentário neste post. Na altura, lembro-me que o blog dela não era tão mexido como agora, e tão pouco se centrava tanto em costuras. No entanto, tem sido delicioso ver como tem crescido, e como a própria Sara se tem dedicado a esta paixão que é a costura, e que partilhamos. Gosto do seu bom gosto em termos de escolhas de tecidos, mas também gosto muito do seu olhar sobre alguns moldes, que vistos à partida não daria nada por eles. A sua capacidade de os reinventar agrada-me muito. A Sara tem demasiadas coisas excelentes para escolher apenas algumas preferidas. Mas vou mencionar uma em particular, que me inspirou a fazer o vestido do último aniversário da minha filha. É o vestido anita ou ice cream que fez para a sua pequenita. Desde a primeira vez que o vi, que adorei o vestido e fiquei com ele na memória, à espera de uma oportunidade para fazer algo semelhante. E foi em Junho que a oportunidade chegou. Publicarei mais tarde sobre o meu vestido. 

* A Sara participou na série mais tarde, aqui, aqui e aqui. 

I've discovered Sara's blog through Refashion Month*, the series I host,as portuguese readers can check in a comment in this post. Back then I remember her blog wasn't as busy as it is right now, and it wasn't as centered in sewing as it is nowadays. Despite all that, it has been delicious to see how it has been growing, and as Sara herself has dedicated to this sewing passion that we both share. I like her great taste in fabric choices, but also her eye through patterns, some of which I would just pass blank if it wasn't for her capability to reinvent them, that is something I love. Sara has made too many gorgeous things to just pick a few favourite, but there's one I have to mention, because it isnpired me to make my daughter's last birthday dress. It is the Ice Cream dress she made for her youngest. Since I first saw it, I loved it and kept it in mind, waiting for an oportunity to make something similar. And that day came back in June. I will blog about it later. 

* Sara was later part of the series too, here, here e here.

Agora, especialmente a ti Sara: Antes de mais nada, muitos parabéns! Espero que tenhas gostado da nossa surpresa. Obrigado por seres quem/como és. Obrigado por tudo o que tens partilhado connosco, principalmente o teu vasto conhecimento e atenção. Admiro-te muito e orgulho-me de poder chamar-te de amiga. Um beijinho enorme cheio de carinho. Lá para quarta feira espreita a caixa do correio! ;) 

above is a special message for Sara, sorry for not translating!

Around the World Blog Hop

My dear friend Patrícia from Pequeno Mundo a 3, invited me to be part of the blog hop nearly a month ago. I was so busy back then, and then got so distracted that I haven't posted it until today. This reminds me, that many  many months ago (August?!), Pam from Threading My Way had also contacted me to take part of a blog hop, but although I said yes, I never did! Bad bad girl! =(

Anyway, Patrícia has became a great friend in the last couple of month, I am sure you'll love her blog full of beautiful photos, sewing projects, and a lot of love. Pam is already well known here in this little blog of mine, right? She's a great refashionista and a very giving person. Thank you both for thinking of me. 

I am supposed to answer a few questions, so here we go... 

What am I working on?

At this moment I have a few things going on. I am finishing two baby doll acessories but I can't tell much about it yet, I need to add buttons to a dress and I just printed a new pattern for a tour. 

How does my work differ from others in its genre?

I don't know really. I don't look at my work as something very different or original. I refashion, that's what I do, what I like to do. Maybe that's the main thing that differs from others.

Why do I create what I do?
I've started sewing for myself because I couldn't afford the expensive corset and fancy fabric clothes I loved so much. Then it just grew on me. When I became a mother I discovered a new world inside the sewing world I was already so attached to. I sew for my kids because I love to as a start. But it also helps me to save and keep my sanity since I became a SAHM.

How does my creative process work?

If often starts with a pattern or a piece or fabric (usually clothes from my refashioning pile). I usually start from there and usually grows (the idea, details, etc) as I go.

Now I should nominee two bloggers and they are....

Diana from Miss Castelinhos

Maria from Fairies, Bubbles & Co

because I'd love to get to know them better! ;)

Why I Sew

I had a draft post in my dashboard with this tittle since May 28th. I guess, time would just go by and eventually I would forget to edit it and post it. But recently, I have seen this popping in a few blogs I follow and I thought it was about time to share "why I sew" too. 

Note: this will be longggggggggggggggggg and full of bad and old quality photos ... just saying... 

me and my sister

my mom knitted the sweater I am wearing

I remember my childhood days, when mom would sit with me and my older and only sister, by our door entrance, in lovely afternoons and teach us how to hand sew. She was never a master in the field herself, but she knew the basics, enough to help us make our dolls clothes. Sometimes, we would spend hours there, she always crocheted and knitted (things she still does much better than sewing), I might have tried that a few times, but what I really liked was the sewing. 

I kept making my dolls clothes until I would no longer play with them. The seamstress where my mom used to go, knew me so well, she would always keep a bag - or a few - full of scraps for me. I would spend hours sewing instead of playing outside like the other kids. At about 12 or so, I decided I would sew an outfit for a friend. Poor girl, she suffered. Unfortunately for you and luckily for her, I have no photos of that. 

my first two pieces outfit - sewn by hand

Then, when I was about 17-18, I had my own taste in clothes. And it was expansive! I couldn't afford buying most of the clothes I liked because they were mainly fitted corsets and bustiers, since I developped a thing for the romantic gothic style. Of course, sewing my own clothes was something I thought would be a good idea. And so, a friend borrowed me a long black skirt and I tried to copy the pattern pieces on my own and recreate it. I didn't even have a sewing machine and I made it all by hand. I somehow managed to make a top to wear with it. Oh gosh, these pieces were no where to be perfect, not even close to it, but I felt so special, proud and happy every time I (shamelessly) wore them. 

first time I tried to use my machine, although it was a Christmas present they didn't have it in the store and I had to wait until March to actually get it

I kept trying to make my own clothes, so my family decided to give me a sewing machine for Christmas that year. Best gift EVER I can tell now, that nearly 12 years have passed. I still own the same machine. I got two more but this is the one I use daily. 

First Fashion Show - a collection created by me and 4 other designers from the same class

I then decided I had to learn more and searched for some classes. I was lucky and found a class of 5-6 people only with two teachers. It was supposed to last for 3 months and I thought I was going to learn a lot. One of the teachers had worked in a sewing factory for a few years and she could sew, the other one had studied fashion design and thought she was a great designer... well, honestly she was not. I never liked one collection of hers, and all she was worried about was having a fashion show. We didn't learn that much, bit by bit people were giving up because we were drawing more than we were learning to sew and the classes didn't go through the full 3 months they promised us. 

But it was good for me anyway, because I kept contact with the seamstress teacher and she gave me (and another girl) a few classes on our own, and although much was left to learn, I finally felt like my skills were improving. Before the classes were over, we were also able to have another fashion show. I had already sewn some clothes of my own pre-classes, and made sure they would allow us to show our own clothes instead of the ones we made in class, which were not personal from each of them. They agreed and I was able to show two outfits plus the one I wore myself, which was also the one I made for my Prom (not on picture above). 

In that show someone saw my clothes, liked them, and invited me to make a show of my very own for an alternative club and so I did. The clothes that were used are the ones above. Some were poorly finished, most of my sewing was self taught. I learnt how to use a pattern from magazines like Burda, with that seamtress I mentioned above, but most often I would draft them myself, using other garments that were already made. 

Check more of my older clothes HERE. 

I kept sewing for myself for many years. There's so many clothes I made and love, and once I figured out (for myself again) how to properly use the patterns and follow the (poor) instructions from those magazines, my garments started to look, at least, better finished. 

Fair stand in 2009 - I guess

In 2008 I started blogging. Can't even remember what were the first sewing blogs I followed, but I was mostly blogging about small sewing projects, and every now and then some clothes. This blog you know, was created in 2012, a few months after I had my first daughter. Right before she was born, I had a partnership with someone else, she was paying me to sew her line of baby items such as slings, breastfeeding pillows, and other. I did a lot of those, and then in June 2011 I had my baby girl. 

here

I became a mom. And my passion turned into sewing for her. (I had done a few baby/kid wear for my nephew and niece before). She was already two months when I got back to sewing, and I made her first outfit (I had done many things for her before she was born, but they were acessories). It was a top and bloomers and I loved it so much. And then I just couldn't stop. Most of the things I've done after that are documented in this blog. Are they perfect?! Of course they are not! But I've always felt proud of what I did. 

So, what was the first question anyway?! Why I sew? That's simply... I sew because it has always been a part of me! I love, it's my passion, it's what really keeps me happy and my mind occupied. I get to make things no one else has, and that is one of the greatest feelings ever. I get compliments from other people, and I feel like I am improving all the time. Besides, because I refashion a lot, I've been saving fortunes by sewing our own clothes!

And no matter how many years I have been sewing... there will always be new techniques to learn, there will always be mistakes, I will learn from people that sew for such a little time, I will be able to sew someone who's just beggining. Sewing, is a continuous learning process for me, and this online community has been wonderful. It has pushed me to do better all the time. It has supported me in so many ways you can't imagine, has teached me, has shared so much. I am so proud of being a part of this world, and I wouldn't change it for any perfections. 

I don't make a matchy outfit for so long... guess it's about time, right? We'll even have a wedding to go later this year! And now I am wondering if anyone had the guts to read it all?! lol

Cupcake Top |Sew Fab Bundle|

My blogging friend Sewing Mama RaeAnna has her Cupcake Top pattern as part of the Sew Fab Bundle. If you plan to purchase, please use her affiliate link: https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=1340680&c=cart&aff=238015&ejc=2&cl=200637 (affiliate).

I was a lucky tester for this pattern, and have made two more after. Definately a pattern I will turn to again in the future. 

I messed up the collar of the last one... but that was my fault! =( 

Fashion Revolution Day: Handmade #insideout

Just like many other bloggers, today I took the pledge to wear one of my handmade items inside out. Today, is the first Fashion Revolution Day, which I have told you about a couple of weeks ago. The movement started in response to the collapse of the textile factory Rana Plaza in Dhaka, Bangladesh which happened one year ago today, and we all are trying to raise awareness of what's going on behind the factory clothes we buy. 

In our house, most of our clothes (mostly for me and my daughter, and now for the little boy in that belly) are hand-me-downs, thrifted or handmade. I haven't been buying new clothes for about two years, unless a few exceptions. I can sew! And that helps a lot, but if you can't, and have to buy your clothes, why don't you try to know a bit more about who made them and how they made them? What conditions do that people have to work?

Read more about it HERE. 

The Liebster Award

A few days ago, nearly two weeks ago already (oh dear, I'm sorry!), Teri Olson (Climbing the Window author) surprised me with the Liebster Award, which is a blogger-to-blogger award meant to recognize blogs with small readership and to help widen their audience. 

So, when nominated for a Liebster award, the nominee must answer the questions from the nominator and provide 5 random facts about her or himself.  Then the nominee pays it forward by nominating more small blogs for the award and sending them more fun questions, normally by leaving a comment on the blog with a link to the nominating post.

I will play by the rules this time... so I'll start with...

My blog nominations go to (randomly):

Gladness of Heart

Falafel & the Bee 
S is for Sewing
Made by Sara
The Land of K.A.

And Questions for the nominated bloggers (if they choose to participate):

1. What's your main inspiration when it comes to sewing?

2. What do you like to sew the most? 

3. How did you learn to sew?

4. Have you teach anyone to sew in your life?

5. What are you working on at the moment?

Then answer the questions from Teri:

1. What is your favorite part of blogging?

The sharing. I love to read the comments people leave about the things I make. Also, I love that it has allowed me to learn so much through other's tips, tutorials, etc. 

2. When you were younger, would you ever have imagined that you would be sewing as an adult? Why or why not?

Well, I was already sewing for my dolls back then. and I started sewing for myself as a teenager, so I guess it has always been part of me. 

3. How many unfinished projects do you have laying around?  And if you don't have any, what's your secret?

Not many right now. I used to have dozens of projects started. But one day I decided "no more" and when a project gets "stuck" I simple ignore it, throw it away, undo it and start a freash new one. I am more disciplined now and always try to finish one thing before I start another one. 

4. What's your favorite movie?

Mmmm... there are a few... most of them by Tim Burton. 

5. Do you still see yourself doing some form of blogging/sewing in one year? In five years?

Yes, one or 5 years... I love it, but... you never know!

TERI thank you for thinking of me for the award and sorry it took me so long to play along. Did you see my take on your Izzy pattern? Everybody, if you haven't seen it or tried it yet, I totally advice you to. I will surely use it again, and again. 

Who made you clothes?

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by Laura - Behind the Hedgerow inviting me to join other fellow bloggers in a Fashion Revolution. We're all asked to wear and post a handmade item inside out on the 24th of April and ask brands/retailers, ‘Who Made Your Clothes?’

Abby from All Things Boys, Celina from Petit a petit and family, and Laura from Beyond the Hedgerow have joined forces with Fashion Revolution to get out the word of their movement. Visit their blogs to read more about this event. 

Last year a factory in Bangladesh collapsed, killing 1133 people. Next month will be the first anniversary since it happened. So in honour of these people that lost their lives, because of the precary condicions they were forced to work under, let's all take the pledge and have a revolution. 

Challenge Create: Adult Edition

A few days ago, I told you about my backstage work, and how sometimes we have to wait to share what we create. Although, this isn't all I've been keeping from you, today I finally get to spread the word on one thing. ..

What I didn't tell you, was that I had just known I was one of the 4 lucky contestants to compete in Challenge Create. I was happy, excited and then just terrified when I looked at my fellow competitors. 

All the ladies are super talented and more, they are all excellent photographers (auch!). 

Visit Skirt Fixation (click button above) to read more about this competition. You can sew along and support us all. It will officially last from March 31st to May 2nd. 

I was planning to sew along even before I knew I had been selected. It has motivated me to finally sew myself a few maternity clothes, so that's what you'll get from me. When I knew I'd be competing, I thought being huge right now would be a disadvantage for me, but on a second thought, I was just glad I get to have this experience. Share the lights with such talented ladies, and just get to sew for myself in this special moment of my life, when i was getting ready to welcome my second child. 

So, I hope you'll all stay around, sew along, vote for your faves and enjoy the competition. I surely will.  

Good luck to us all and let's get sewing... 

Oh, and don't forget that if you're interested in guest posting for my series, you can go HERE to read about it all and sign up too. Thanks!

Backstage working...

It is extremely hard for me to finish projects ahead and then have to wait so long to share them. I am the kind of seamstress that enjoys sharing whatever I create right away. But sometimes we compromise to other people, and sharing what's been made has to wait.

So, that said, let me tell you I've been like a busy bee, not only sewing, but sorting patterns, searching for inspiration... There are a few great things coming... have you heard?! Here are a few I can share for now... 

The 9th season of Project Run and Play is now starting with the introduction of the designers. The first link party will be open March 24th. Challenge Create starts March 31st, an adult sewing edition, organized by the ladies from Skirt Fixation. 

Themes for Project Run & Play (click link to read more on blog):

- Take me to the Zoo

- Spring Break 

- Design your own fabric

- Signature style

Themes for Challenge Create (click link to read more on blog):

- Inspired by Nature

- Refashion

- (a hint of) Vintage

- Destashing

Also, Kids Clothes Week is coming back (April 7th - 13th) with something new. It is a themed edition... Mini Me... And this time I am planning to do things right. I have signed in the site already, I am trying to pick my patterns already, and decide what I want to get done through that week. I hope I'll be able to share my creations on time too. I am planning to exclusively sew for the baby during KCW, and am trying to keep the list short, though it's hard. I get all excited and want to do it all, but I know that if I put high expectations into it, I might end up dissapointed, so let's do the best not to.

What about you? Will you be sewing along any of these too?

The Renegade Seamstress & Burdastyle

Photo source

I believe Beth Huntington from The Renegate Seamstress doesn't need much introduction, but I still will make a little one for you, just in case you don't know who I am refering to.

Well, Beth is like a refashioning superstar, she also hosts the great sewing competition I was part of last year, the Refashion Runway. Besides, she is a contributor to ehow and she has a book on the works.   

She was recently invited to host a live Web Seminar for BurdaStyle about refashioning. So if you've been wanting to get some inspiration/help to start refashioning your wardrobe, and have some fun along the way, this will be a great oportunity for you. 

Live Web Seminar Date: March 31st

Start Time: 11am EST (4pm GMT)

Length: 60 minutes

for more information visit BurdaStyle here. 

Sunshine Award

A few days ago, my bloggy friend Desarae from Gladness at Heart, nominated me for the Sunshine Award. I was surprised and so happy and honoured to be one of her choices. Thank you dear!

This talented lady, was one of my fellow competitors in the Rafashion Runway competition later last year, and she was also one of my guests during the last series of the Refashion Month. 

First of all I will start by answering her questions... 

Questions from Desarae for her Nominees:

1. What are some of your 'accomplishements'

(in the Jane Austen sense of the word: i.e. sewing, crocheting, drawing, instrument, singing...)

Many years ago I'd come up with an endless list. apparently I thought I could do anything and had to be always creating either way. Noways, it all comes down to sewing, my passion, one of the things I love most in life. 

2. Where do you get your inspiration (sewing, crafting, outfits etc.) OTHER than Pinterest?

Pinterest isn't really my first stop when searching for inspiration. Usually, when I plan to sew something, I get inspired by everything. Maybe a collar I saw someone wearing when I stepped outside, or maybe that new pattern someone reviewed in their blog, or a theme, I love to get sewing with a theme as inspiration... it pushed my imagination and creativity a little further and I love it. 

3. Name one new thing you want to make/try this year.

Finally learn how to use my serger... it's March already and I haven't given it a single try. Not happy!

4. Given the choice of anyone in the world (presently living),

whom would you want as a diner guest?

This isn't an easy one. But I guess (after a little thinking) that having Tim Burton and his wife Helen to have dinner with, would be terribly interesting. 

5.  What are some things that make you really happy?

My family above all. Sewing, days spent in the country side, lakes, a hot chocolate, a good movie, reading...

6. Favorite book series?

I have too many, but Marion Zimmer Bradley ones have been some of the best I've read. =) 

7. Favorite book made movie.

"The Perfume" - just too good. 

8. Pet Peeves?

(sorry but I am not quite sure I understood the question - translating issues, perhaps - so I'll just pass here)

9. If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go?

Greece... no doubt!

10. When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?

Would you still choose that?

I wanted to be a singer. I guess not anymore. I don't want to traumatize anyone... ahahaha

* And now, I'm just copy pasting from Desarae's blog (hope you won't mind!) *

The Sunshine Award is..

"For bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others

in the blogsphere." 

Those who bring a little sunshine into our day!

THE RULES:

• Thank and recognize the blogger(s) who nominated you (link back)
• Post the award on your blog
• Answer the questions given you by your Nominator.
•  Nominate 5-10 other bloggers (no tag backs) and let them know you nominated them
• Set 10 questions for your nominees to answer

But, since I am a little cheater I will not pick 5-10 blogs to nominee. There are too many blogs I love, and inspire me everyday for years. I don't want to leave anyone behind, I just thought it'd be fun to share my answers with you. 

Carnival (sort of) Series

photo source

The official day for Carnival over here is March 4th, next Tuesday. But celebrations have already started. On friday morning, some schools made parades with their classes. Each class usually picks up a theme and all kids are dressed up according to the theme, while others just go free. 

My kid's class theme was animals, and they have made their costumes too, but they didn't make it to their school parade because they are so young and two of the carers are away. I was sad when I knew about it, but at least they got to wear they costumes in school and play around. 

I am not one of the biggest Carnival lovers on earth, but I enjoy it too, so in celebration of the season, I have prepared a few posts for this week, according to the theme. I will be sharing how it was for my daughter is school last friday, I will share a couple refashioned costumes tutorials, I will reveal the costume I made G. this year and will also show you some of the past costumes I've made. 

I hope you all follow me in this mini-series of mine and enjoy the fun that Carnival is supposed to bring! 

I've been MIA

Well, yes I have. And I am sorry, it has been impossible for me to just sit and sew or even blog. For the last couple of days, I wasn't even able to just read all of my fave blog's posts. Bloglovin tells me I have over 200 post to read, and that's after I've cleaned it from the ones that didn't interested me. I will try to get back to posting interesting stuff soon, but as things have been I can't promise anything. I can tell you, I've been working on my advent callendar today. Pffff... it's too late, I wanted to have it ready already, but again, I couldn't. It'll be a simple one though. 

16 things you didn't know about me

After reading Maegen's post, I suggested that she should have given a number to her readers too, so we could play along with it in our blogs. A bit later, I got an e-mail from her, she gave me the number 16, so here's sixteen things that you might have not known about me before (or maybe you did):

self portrait by me. 

1 - I'm half Portuguese and half Spanish. 

2 - Though my first year in school was in Portugal, the first language I learnt how to write was Spanish (the next year). 

3 - When I was about 5, I had dozens of people around me, trying to get my foot out of a wheel. I ended up in the emergency room. 

4 - When I was younger, I used to say I wanted to be a mother by the time I was 19. 

5 - Although we announced a wedding, I and "husband" have never done it after all. We're together though. 

6 - I had planned to become a mother by the time I was 23, but fate didn't want me to, and I was forced to "wait" until I was 27. 

7 - I love tattoos and I have got 5 of them. 

8 - I don't wear earings on my ears very often, but always wear a nose piercing. 

9 - I've never had my hair cut too short. 

10 - I have a birth sign/spot in my back. 

11 - I have no religion. I believe in Love. 

12 - I used to work in a health shop until my baby was born. I'm now unemployed trying to sew for a living. 

13 - I sew since I was a little girl, but only got better at it when I was about 18-19. 

14 - I am a very difficult person when I want to. 

15 - I'm the youngest of two girls. 

16 - I have a female cat named Wicca and a male cat named Lord Lestat. 

I hope you enjoyed it, and if you want to play along, I give you the number 22 and you should write 22 things about yourself.

Bubble Shorts by DoGuincho Pattern Tour |and some great news|

Today is my turn to show you my version of the Bubble Shorts; which pattern has been recently released by Marta from DoGuincho. I was really lucky, and feel honoured that Marta invited me for her blog tour.

Let me start by saying I really liked the shorts when I first saw them over at DoGuincho's blog, in their first version. And when I knew they'd make great winter shorts I even liked them best. But I always thought, that it was the kind of garment I most likely wouldn't be making for my child. I mean, I loved it on her kids, just didn't think I'd love it in mine. Does it ever happen to you?

... (and) Boy, was I wrong? ...

So, even though I thought that it would be a garment I would probably not sew for my kid, I was excited to be part of the tour and get my hands on it. In my mind, I was going to use it to make a few Christmas gifts. But then I started seeing all the versions other bloggers in the pattern tour were making. And weren't all of them so cute and different?! I had to rethink my goals. I changed my mind. I went to make one for my daughter. If I didn't like it, then I could always donate it or whatever. 

I carefully chose my fabric - black velvet (from my stash of course, this particularly one was given to me by my mother in law a couple of years ago). I wanted something different from what I had seen before, and I wanted something classy. If I wasn't so tight with a lot of projects I would have enjoyed making a matching jacket for those shorts and pair it all with a plain while top. But I had no time, and that will have to come later. 

I had problems getting a decent picture of the details. Turns out black velvet isn't that easy to photograph, being I  not-by-any-chance a professional, having a broken machine that only works half way, the weather being as grey as ashes, this, my friends, was the best thing I got.

So, for this photoshoot I paired it with a shirt she was offered a while ago and surprise... my new Dreaming of Spring blazer, in a winter edition. Go figure! And all together make for my PR&P signature look. 

How come signature look if I wasn't even so sure about the shorts?! Well, yes. After all, this pattern proved to be one of my favorite from the latest I've tried. Everything went together perfectly. It was easy to tape the pattern together, I used a size 2 and it fits my daughter perfectly, which doesn't always happen, the instructions are clear and easy to follow, and I just loved the look of it all and the attention given to details and the entire thing by Marta. Oh, and one great thing about it... they were so quick to put together! I love the velvet shorts on my daughter so much. Hubby or my mom, can't tell anymore... called her little Camões, which made my day. lol 

I don't think I have a signature style. Not yet at least. Or maybe I do, some people have told me they like my style, so there must be something that defines me. What? I still didn't figure out. If you know what that is, then please let me know, so I don't get so freaked out with every Signature look week every season of PR&P. I have mentioned I like to do knock-offs, often refashion... but I believe the thing I really stick to is making wearable clothes for my kid. Clothes that I know will worn over and over. 

So, the big news?! I have created a pattern for this blazer. You might have heard about it, because I had 5 lovely and talented ladies testing it for me (thank you Suzanne, Al, RaeAnna, Max and Shannon), and helping me improving it before it is finally available here in the blog as soon as possible. I was actually hoping to share it today, but with all the sewing to do, and the Refashion Runway competition going, I'm sorry to say you have to wait just a few more days. Please be patient because once it is ready, you can have it for FREE! Size 2 only, sorry! 

Despite the original name, I made a winter version of this blazer jacket. When I first made the first, my daughter used it with a scarf and I really liked the look, even though it has a wide neck, meant for Spring weather. In this blue version, I used flannel inside to keep it warm. You will love the changes the first testers did to it, which I will be showing you pretty soon. 

Now, to the best part for you, and back to the shorts pattern, Marta announced on her blog that

Until September 30th the Bubble Shorts by DoGuincho will be for sale with a special price...Use code RELEASE1 to get 20% off. Grab it while you can!

You can buy the pattern on (my) Etsy Store and - good news - as it is a digital file, the pattern is immediately available for download after payment.

And if you've missed the rest of the tour, it's always time to visit each of the bloggers that have shared their own bubble shorts versions too. Let me tell you, you'll love it and you'll surely will feel the urge to make a pair too. So, visit them, buy the pattern, you're still on time to use the discount and share your bubble love too. 

Ashley e Emily, Dotta, Karly, Suz, Maria, Rachel, Ana Sofia, Marte, Venus, Constança, Janice, Magda, Sanae

Sorry, this turned out so long, but I really needed to say it all. I guess that's just me, anyway... 

Sewing Challenges (& Sort of Wrap up)

New exciting things are on the way...

Operation Project $0 is on. Check it out HERE. I guest posted for the series too... YEY! Missed it? Go here!

Season 8 of Project Run & Play kicks off tomorrow! So excited to see what everyone come up with. The themes for the 4 weeks of challenge are: Pattern Remix - Candy - Plaid - and - Signature look. I have already done my Pattern Remix outfit, and will be blogging about it in just a few days. I'm still not sure about the second week, but I will join the other two for sure. 

Maratón Telaria - this is sort of a spanish version of PR&P, and I am in to sew along with. There are also 4 weeks, and the themes for this are: Retro - Knits - Bed Time- and - our choice. Starts next month, so I'm excited for this too. 

I might or might not join this one if I can get to sew it mixed up with another of the challenges. This is a challenge hosted by the Spanish blog La Pantigana. And we're supposed to use a really horrible fabric that we might have in our stash, and make something good out of it. Sounds fun and it's a great insentive to use that fabric that we always put back because it isn't just good enough. 

Click on picture!

Another fun series to follow - did you realise I'll be guest posting for this series too?!

Besides, I have a lot to do. My list is big, but I love it! I love to feel challenged, I love that I feel like I belong somewhere... In a near future I am: 

- Testing a pattern

- Reviewing another pattern

- Being part of a Pattern tour

- Doing a guest post for a bloggy friend

- Realising my first FREE pattern

And guess what? I am even considering a winter edition for a Refashion Month series. Is anyone in for this? 

Mmmm... It's been a while since I last blogged about my challenges. I am excited about the next couple of months. It's going to be pretty crazy around here, well, it has actually started already, but it's going to get extra busy since I can't turn down a good challenge. 

It's been a sewing challenging year. It did calm down for Summer though, but I needed to feel motivated and came up with the self Pinterest challenge. AH! I made that post and then never talked about it. The truth is that I didn't keep up with the weekly pin done. Buhhhh!!! But in my defense I have to say that I crossed most of those pins out of my to do list. 

Ever since, I did make the piñata cake, by the end of July for my niece's 6th birthday party. She loved it and everyone thought it was a great birthday cake. I didn't follow any tutorial, I made a cake (two actually) with a recipe I had from a magazine and then decorated as wished. And here's how it turned out.

I did make a pair of Harem shorts for my daughter and most recently I made a pair for my little niece M. Before those two, I made another pair but that was considered a failure and although I've been planning to still blog about it, I haven't done it yet. 

I didn't do the lollipops, I wanted to make them as party favours on my daughter's birthday (late June), but I didn't, so I don't think I will do that anymore. I did print the pattern for the potty training pants, but when I realised my baby was potty trained and those weren't needed anymore. It only took me a month for the whole process. 

And I didn't do the mat exactly, like the one on the pin I showed you, but I did the little pillows and we've used them on tree trunks. It looked so cute. Those were also for my daughter's 2nd birthday. The theme was ladybugs, I have mentioned that when I showed you her outfit for the party. 

That's it for now, but I might be up for something else!!! ;)