A modified dress

Last spring I bought a demin dress that is quite short and I did intend to wear it this summer. Weather-wise it would have been ok since we had the hottest summer ever (over 30C for weeks) but as the time went by the dress seemed shorter and shorter. So as it was on it's way to becoming a no-use-item I decided I'll try to modify it to make it more decent. :)

The dress before. When I had it on and tried to put my shoes on everyone could see more of me than I would have liked... :D And the ruffle around the waist made it look like a tutu or a bit too much "little girlie"-like.

First I removed the ruffle from the waist. It immidiately looks a bit calmer and better. (See how I only have one leg! Luckily the other pics show that the left leg is still hanging in there :D).

Then I sewed the removed ruffle to the back of the dress and made the dress a bit longer.

For the final touch I added some studded ribbon to make the dress more "rock". :) the back got much longer eventhough I added just one strip of fabric.

Some might still consider this too short but this is what I'll wear next Saturday when I go out with my friends. :) I will just add a pair of tights and long boots to feel a bit less "naked" :)

A birthday exchange for Kirsi and A Wonderful Summer for Leena

These have arrived at their destinations so here are some pics and stories. :)

First one I stitched for a "Wonderful Summer" exchange for Leena. The pattern is one of the two pattersn from "Floralie No1" from Taralala. I stitched it with Atalie threads, one over on on Floba. I really like this pattern and I think I'll stitch the other one for myself. :) I finished this as a pinkee. The fabric on the back is from Moda Fabrics, from a layer cake called "Blush".

Number two today is a birthday exchanged to Kirsi. I stitched her the "L'Heure du Thé - Tea Time" from Tralala and finished it also as a pinkeep. Also stitched on Floba with Atalie one over one. And the back is also from "Blush". I think it fitted this one perfectly.
 

And for once I rememberd to take a photo of the whole birthday package. :) I put in a Tralala pattern called "ABC poule" and Atalie threads for it and also a small cute purse (which is now used by Kirsi's daughter I heard :)).

Mailart to Aw

I took part in a "Stitching accessories" mailart exchange on a Yahoo group in the beginning of July. It took me a while before showing it here. I stitched mailart for Aw who lives in Malaysia. I used a new technic to finish the mailart. I used a ribbon that has glue on both sides and it stitcks to the fabric when ironed.I guess it worked since it was still intact when it arrived in Malaysia. :) Patterns are from a book "Cross stitch and embroidery on red, white and blue". Buttons are from my grandma's button jar. She used to weave carpets and she cut the weaves herself and put the buttons in a jar. I used to play with the buttons when I was little. :)

I like the lace pattern I used on the flap. I think it looks very delicate and pretty.

Details:

Later this week I will show you two other exchanges I've made. I have been a really bad exchange partner this summer since I have mailed almost all my exchanges late. I want to apologise that from my exchange partners. This summer has been really tough and the situation ended up in me and my husband separating a couple of week ago. So now I am learning to live alone again. I want to tell you that eventhough I feel sad I am also somewhat relieved. And that I am doing fine now.

"A wonderful summer" -exchange from Leena

I got this beautifiul sachet from Leena. The theme for the exchange was "A wonderful summer".Thank you Leena so much, I love it! Now I am thinking what kind of treasures will I keep on it. :) There was also a lovely card with birdhouses so the package had my favourite things. :)

A beautiful Mailart from Maleysia

I took part in a mailart exchange at a Yahoo group. I got this awesome mailart / project case from Aw from Maleysia. The theme was Stitching Accessories and she had stitched scissors, needles, threads etc. with a beautiful thread. I love it, thanks Aw! :)

Mine is still on it's way, so no pics yet.

Good news and Happy Midsummer fest

Once again comes a time that things happen very quickly in my life. This time I have positive news. :) On next Tuesday I will go and sign a new employment contract so from 5th of July I am no longer unemployed! I found a job! It all started yesterday when I found out about the job. Today I had the job interview in the morning (it was 1,5h long and the best job interview I have ever been in) and just before 4 p.m. I got a call that they wanted me to come and work for them. Eventhough I thought earlier about changing to a whole different line of business after this job opportunity I am happy to stay in information technology. My new titel is "information systems specialist", sounds fancy doesn't it. ;) This job is so much better for me than my old one and I trust my new bosses and the company. I started to be a bit nervous about how long I will be unemployed and also worried about the financial side of it. I am so relieved now! Tomorrow we celebrate the Midsummer here in Finland and now I also have another reason to celebrate. :)

I have been stitching but all are so hush hush that no pictures yet. That too will change in July. I have also done some gardening and as it's out there for all to see I will show you some pics too. :) My dad made me a decorative ladder from old hay poles. I found two perfect planters to put on and also some wild-like flowers to plant. On the upper ladder there are two angel geraniums, on the lower ladder there are two red verbenas. On the top ladder I put a birdhouse I bought earlier. There's also a birdhouse among the violets. :)

Happy Midsummer fest to all!

Whales Ahoy!

My two friends both have little girls and their birthdays are very close to each other so on Thursday they had one party to celebrate them both. I wanted to make the gifts myself and wanted to make something bright and cute for them as they turned two and three. I found pretty fabrics and decided to sew these cute baby whales. You can find the pattern here, there are no instructions though. This was a fun little sewing project. :)

 Whales on a shore (actually it'sjust our backyard :))

My husband took this so you can see the size better.

Biscornu exchange

I took part in spring-summer biscornu exchange in Finnish exchange blog. My hands made it hard to finish in time and it was on its way two days late but finally arrived to Pike. I stitched a biscornu that has spring coloured flowers on other side and summer greens and browns on the other side. The chart is from Kissy Cross, you can find it here. The summer sides threads are from our local fabric store and it only says "R" on the band. The spring side is stitched with DMC's Color variations number 4060 and Atalie's "Aster". I happened to have just the right coloured flower button and bead in my stash.

I received this lovely summery biscornu from Minna. Funny thing is that it is also stitched by Kissy Cross' chart. :) Isn't it the cutest! The fabric has some glitter but it doesn't show in the photos. This chart has a fun fence that goes around from one piece to another. Thank you Minna!

My hands have gotten much better during the sick leave. My doctor decided that we wont try again and risk ruining my hands complitely and she wrote me a slip that says I am not fit for the job. I took it to my employer and he was a bit bummed out since he had hoped I would work for them for a long time. So from Tuesday on I will be unemployed again. Finding the bright side: now I have time to dig in my garden as soon as the weather gets a bit warmer. And I am sure I will find a job that fits me sooner rather than later.