Living Simply

The weather is getting warmer...snow is melting...mud is everywhere...Spring is coming to Minnesota!  It won't really be warm enough to trade out the winter clothes for the spring clothes for another month or more, but I'm still having fun sewing some fun spring/summer skirts.  I told my wonderful husband that I can tell that I'm sick of winter because I have a "bug" to sew...and to sew skirts, fun summery ones.

I've made three skirts so far.  I also made Ruthie a dress for her birthday -- it will probably still be too cold to where it on its own, but she can put a turtleneck on under it!  I also made a couple headbands out of an old t-shirt.

Since we will be moving soon, I'll start working on some new curtains and a new shower curtain.  I might even tackle finishing the two quilts I have started out of scraps and if I get those done, move onto a third quilt our of scraps. 

I love fabric and fabric stores and can find such good deals on fun fabrics so often that I have a bit of a fabric stash to use up.  So far I only bought fabric for Ruthie's dress and one skirt for me.  I don't plan to buy anymore until I've used up most of my stash!  We'll see how i

Check out www.allfreesewing.com for some inspiration and free patterns!

We all want to look "in style" and "put together" but we don't want to spend lots of money and time to do it.  We want to look "in style" but not "too trendy".  Here a are a few suggestions:

Take a close look at your current wardrobe:
     What do you wear a lot?
     What do you feel looks good on you?
     What general "style" do your favorite clothes have?
     What is your lifestyle -- what kind of clothes do you need?

Get rid of anything that doesn't fit, that you don't like to wear, or that you don't think you look good in.

Focus on stocking your closet with things that coordinate (mix-and-match) well.  Stick to classic styles and colors.  Make sure that you have something appropriate for every occasion -- funerals, weddings, job interviews, work, everyday, etc.

Make sure that you have the "extras" that you need to go everything -- underthings (the "right" bra), nylons, socks, shoes, belts, purses, jewelry.  Remember, you are going for basic/classic and multi-tasking.

Next, fill in your wadrobe with inexpensive extras -- trendy shirts, jewelry, purses.  These things you will be replacing every year or more -- make sure they are inexpensive and that you won't feel bad getting rid of them when they wear out (which they will do sooner since they are made more cheaply) or go out of style.