Retrophile

So, the unthinkable has happened.... I walked in to a fabric/ craft store and didn't come out with any new patterns or fabric.  In fact, I only spend $1.39.  This was a strange.  I usually have a hard time staying under 50 dollars when I go in. I wonder what this means??

Hello All, So I am still working on my wedding planning.  However, I have been a bit lazy as of late.  I still need to find a location, and have only really visited one.  The main reason for my procrastination has been my discouragement  with the topic of venues.  I don't know how many of you have planned weddings, but I have to say this has been my least favorite part so far. It is so much fun looking at pictures online, figuring out who the bridal party will be and what they will wear.  However, the location has been a major pain.  The places that are affordable are too small and really offer no services.  Other places that are beautiful and perfectly fit my vision, including services and size are so damn expensive.  Call me a miser, but I think it is ridiculousness to spend 8-10k on a venue you will only be spending 5 hours in?  Perhaps I am just really naive  about all of this and had no idea wha...

So here it is!  This is my new permanent accessory!  I got my new tat on the 14th and it was a long time coming.   I have actually been planning this tattoo for about 2 years now.  There are a couple different things represented in this tattoo. First and foremost I got this tattoo to commemorate having my kidney transplant for over 10 years.  Yes you heard that right, 10 years.  If you don't know much about organ transplant, this is a big deal.  I am actually on my way to 12 years as of right now.  (So think happy thoughts!).  The color is also symbolic.  The green represents as both kidney disease and organ transplant as far as cause ribbon colors go.  There is also a needle and thread, and if you look closely there are two small stitches at the top of the bow knot.  For those of you who know me, the reason is pretty apparent.  I love sewing, it has become my passion and has pretty ...

Hello All, So I have been making a little progress on my wedding planning.  I haven't nailed down a location quite yet, but do have some ideas. However, I have had fun scouring Pintrest for Ideas.  Here are some of the ideas I have come across so far.     Next... I would like to get your guys opinion on something.  What do you think about honeymoon registries.   I have been reading about them lately.  The thinking behind them is, many couples are living together before they get married.  As a result they have all the housewares they need already.  So, they figure that couples could register for people to gift money to their honeymoon trip. Here are some of the sites. http://www.honeyfund.com/ http://www.honeymoonwishes.com/ http://www.travelersjoy.com/ So, do you think it is in bad taste to do a honeymoon registry, as well as having a small traditional registry? Let me know your thoughts. xo Nikki

You are seeing correctly.  That is an engagement ring!  This time the "Dumm, Dumm, Dumm Dumm" is for me.   My boy proposed to me on February 3rd.  It was our 6 year anniversary.  And of course, it is a pink! Since that day, it has been a ongoing search for what kind of wedding I like.  We don't plan on getting married for a year and a half- 2 years.  So we have plenty of time. However, I have pretty much settled on a couple things.  I know I want an outdoor wedding, and I want a tea length 1950's style dress.  And of course it is going to be homemade.  I am enlisting the help of my amazing seamstress Aunt.  So this is where you all come in, I need help finding pattern and reference pictures. There are so many stylish, amazing seamstresses on this sight.  I know you all have some wonderful pictures squirreled away.  Below are some of the ideas I have found so far. The tea length not the long...

Hello All, It has been a few months since my last post and boy do I have a lot to catch up on.  The reason I have been M.I.A was I have been finishing up my Master's Thesis.  It is finally printed turned in and awaiting approval by the committee, keep your fingers crossed. So keep your look out for updates.  I will be posting some catch ups this weekend.  For now I will leave you with a teaser of my Dicken's Fair Costume from this year.

If I had one piece of advice to aspiring costume makers, it would be BUY PATTERNS!!  Doesn't matter if you think you will use it anytime soon or not.  If you like it and can afford it buy it.  My compulsion to buy patterns is really working in my favor right now.  I am a self taught seamstress and have had no formal sewing, draping or pattern making lessons.  This being the case I depend on my patterns. This has allowed me to piece things together, alter existing patterns and just some just for their general shape. This is what I have been doing the last couple of days.  I found my perfect Dicken's fair inspiration dress. http://www.antique-frock.com/earlyvictorian/products/dress102.html I am in love this dress.  It is an acutal 1860 gown and being such, there is no specific pattern for this dress.  So, this is where my pattern collection comes in to play.  I am using 2 different patterns to piece together and create this dress. ...