I’m No Expert, Aloha !

You’d have to be a long time friend of Boomdeeadda to remember when I FIRST mentioned sewing this dress.

Did you think it was never going to happen?  I was starting to have my doubts too.  I bought the pattern and material August of 2012 after falling for the lovely peach and aqua fabric.  A simple little Peasant dress with butterfly sleeves a gathered yoke and an empire waist. Couldn’t be easier, right?

Well, then I got a wee bit sidetracked 😀

Then…..

I found a sewing guru, right here at WordPress. I’ve been a big fan of Catja and the lovely Kitty at Gjeometry for almost a year now. Catja (another Canuck, as we say up here) sews brilliantly and I’m hoping some of her mad skills rub off on me along the way.  For example, I’ve never thought of buying material at Ikea, but check out this awesome little skirt she made last April. Oh, and how cute are her shoes? Some of my favourite posts are with Kitty.  Get this, Kitty loves the water?  What a special cat !  For a peak at some great Canadian scenery, please do pop in. Oh, and the lake and mountains aren’t bad either 😉

 Speaking of water, have you ever seen those pictures of people on the beach, where they jump in the air really high?  Well, this is me attempting to recreate it ! Do feel free to laugh like mad, I sure did 😀

Seconds after this, I fell down….in the ocean….my hat got wet and so did I…such flawless grace 😀 LOL

Catja is so darn gorgeous, she makes these sewing photo shoots look easy, I’m just saying, “Not” 😀  To spare other holidayers side-splitting laughter, I kept the rest of the photo shoot simple and classy (well, I tried).

I was absolutely tickled to receive a very special package from Catja recently. It included this one-of-a-kind hand-stitched envelope made in (what else) yummy aqua materials. I couldn’t believe it was made just for me, look!

I’m keeping my compact in it. Fit’s like a glove. Thank you Catja and Kitty, we love you!!! xo

There were also treasures for Blossum and Petals too.  These little knitted cat toys were thoughtfully made by Catja’s mom.  An Octopus and a Fish are now filled with nip.  Don’t you just love when your cat toys match your socks?  I sure do 😀

While my new dress isn’t entirely a masterpiece, I really loved the fabric print, and colours.  I added a tiny ribbon to the bodice too. It was just lying around on the craft table and I thought, “hey! this might look good”.  Alys calls this ‘Serendipity’ , what do you think?

Well, I’m glad I finally get to wear it and in such a beautiful place.  There’s sparkling fountains, swaying palm trees …. the ocean.

Wait a cotton stitching minute…What the? Catja and Kitty….DON’T look 😀

Funny things can and will happen, when you leave a sewing project for over a year before getting to it.  You may not find all the pieces. Or, maybe you didn’t cut it all out and forget where the extra material is.  Or, maybe that material is no longer in any stores.  Maybe you’ll have to be REALLY creative to salvage your dream.

Does the back of this dress remind you of anything?

LOL

This has happened to you too right? What? Never? Oh the delightful madness of couture  😀  I honestly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.  This pattern has you sewing the entire bodice before the skirt, so to salvage a half-baked masterpiece I had to think fast.

Ms Blossum, Boomdee Warp….ENGAGE !

Besides, no one see’s both sides at once, right? I happened to find a cute little handbag here in Maui to match 😀

I’m thinking, I rather like the whole gypsy, bohemian vibe.  So, what did my photographer, Mr B say? “I don’t know hon, then again, I’m no expert”. Aloha!

What would you have done?