Craziness Continues

So, I've been silent for almost a month...not sure how that happened, but I intend to make it up to you now with an extra-exciting post about a lot of random happinesses (of course that's a word) that I have been experiencing. And yes, I like words that start with 'ex-'. :)

To start off with, I had a project that I wanted to share with you. One of my attempts at creating something without using a pattern, (other than to get the correct shape & size - I'm not that good) so here are some pictures: (note - it's not finished yet, so don't expect pictures of the final outcome just now)

These are the fabric scraps that were in the cupboard. I stared at them and pondered it overnight before I came close to deciding what to do with them...

A quick sketch of the design I came up with. Now, to accomplish...

The velvety fabric was SO stretchy that I lined each piece individually before I began the assembly.

I know the grains of the fabric are going opposite directions, but I thought it actually had a uniquely fun effect.
Oh, by the way, this is the front of what was becoming a vest. :)

The completed vest. I really liked it - alas for my impulsive scissors ...

Although this is kinda fun, too - I just need to finish it. Finding a way to attach that skirt was NOT easy. I think I ended up with elastic...there was much room for improvement in construction process, to say the least...
but this is how it's looking right now.

And this is what Bootsy thought of my endeavors...

So that was my latest sewing adventure...I wasn't sure if I was pleased with it or not, but I think I'm getting closer to being able to go back to it. I have a whole big plan for the finish...or I will eventually. ;)

~*~*~*~

Moving on - It has been crazy (more that usual) at my house this month. We're preparing for my graduation party, which is going to be the second day of June. I finally go my invitations made and sent off, and then my mother and I turned our sights to the bookshelves in our 'library'. (You can sort of see how they looked in the picture above Bootsy ^ ) Mom and I decided that we could re-organize all the books and then put some of them away in order to have shelves to make little displays about my life. I know, this is a very self-centered project, but Mom and I are having so much fun being crazy together, eating Smarties, and being artistic (we think), that it's actually more about spending time together and sharing memories than creating a display - although that is what we are, in fact, doing. 

Here's some more pictures: 

Here's how the library looked whilst we wreaked havoc...

I guess I took pictures after it had gotten somewhat organized....oh well. You can imagine the chaos, surely. :)

After we tore all the books off the shelves (the vacuum cleaner came in quite handy - there was dust) we sorted through, disposed of a few, and then bagged up the rest and piled them in a discreet corner of the house.

Now the real fun could begin. 

This was the first section we did - 'Childhood'. A lot of memories tucked in there...

I love this shelf. I don't think it's quite finished yet, but you get the idea of my fantasy-love. :)

And there be classics.

I was having some fun with angles. This is from a corner of the ballet shelf. 

This is what I did yesterday morning - cut out little paper-doll-like pictures of myself so mom could place them as her humor suggested itself.  

Don't be alarmed - the glove is not going to attack you. I don't think...

This is my 'costuming' shelf. There are pictures of me in costumes I've either made or put together, drawing I've done,  etc. *happy sigh*

I was Juliet in Shakespeares 'Romeo & Juliet' when I was 14 years old. It made a huge impression on my life, I think. Therefore, there is a shelf. 

And a dagger. And I had a bit of fun with that 'poison' bottle and label... 

So that's what I've been up to - along with trying to learn 14 dances for recital. Yikes. I'm getting close, though! I only have 2 weeks of classes left. It's sort of a bittersweet-sad thing, and even though I'm really excited to move on with my life (college!!!) I'm going to miss my dance classes a LOT. So these next few weeks are going to have to be awesome, so I can treasure the memories forever. :)

"All it takes to triumph over adversity is the conviction that you can" Author unknown

"We know what we are, but not what we may be." ~William Shakespeare

"Though this be madness, yet there is method in't." ~William Shakespeare, Hamlet