The Skirty Dozen

Happy Spring, Northern Hemispherites!

In honour of the changing of the season (goodbye winter, hello spring) and the fact that it is a lovely warm day, I decided to don a cheerful outfit today. 

The skirt is another of my "Skirty Dozen," made from a rayon woven that many of you will recognize from Fabric Mart offerings a while back.  It is soft and flowy fabric - perfect for a skirt.  It is also quite pretty with the sweet little floral pattern.

Both the teal top and the watermelon coloured cardigan punch up colours found in the print of the skirt.

The teal sandals and amber pendant are the finishing touches.

Every year, I always find winter so dreary and thus I'm positively itching to put on some bright colours by this time of March.

And it goes without saying (even though I am saying it) that I am ecstatic when sandal season rolls around.  I love banishing the socks and letting my toes feel the breezes.  Ahh... delicious...

But, enough chatting.  It looks like a certain pup is telling me it's time for a walk.

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Kiss me, I'm Irish adorable!

The Skirty Dozen

Sometimes I like big, involved projects that challenge me and expand my skills.  Other times, I prefer quick and easy.  These twelve skirts (I like to call them the skirty dozen*) fall soundly into the second category.

 
Anyone can make an elastic waist dirndl skirt - all you need is a bit of fabric, some wide elastic and about an hour.  To make your own:

1. Find a piece of pretty fabric.  Make sure its width is large enough to go around your hips with some wiggle room.  Let's say I am using 50" fabric - that will give me around 10" of ease.
2. Determine the length you would like your skirt (for me, I usually like 22").  Add 2" to that measurement (24" it is).
3. So, I cut out a piece of fabric that is 50" by 24" and stitch up the selvedge side to make a big tube.
4. Cut a piece of elastic (I use 2" wide elastic) that is comfortable on your waist.  Attach the cut ends together to make a tube.
5. Gather the fabric tube onto the elastic tube.  I pin the skirt to the elastic in quarters.  Then, I stretch the elastic as I serge the fabric onto it, one quarter of the tube at a time.
6. Finish the bottom with a 2" hem.
7. Wear and enjoy.

All the skirty dozen are made with light weight fabrics (like rayon and linen) and are therefore, great for the warmer weather. However, because of the darker colours of some of the fabrics, those skirts can be worn with tights and boots in the winter too.  So, many of these skirts can serve my wardrobe needs year round.

Here's one example in action.  The skirt is made from a coral/red/grey/black print rayon woven that Fabric Mart was offering a while back.  The coral ruffle front tank top is from Land's End and the black fulled wool blazer is so old I can't remember where I got it.  I have on black textured tights and pair of black leather boots to cozy things up.

Over the next while, I'll post each skirt as I have styled it for work and/or play.




* So, how many of you caught my awesome play on words?

The Taming of the Arse - Week 10

What a busy few weeks I have had - I could barely keep my head above water.  The biggest culprits were progress reports and parent-teacher interviews.  But, all is well now.  Can I get a big, "Oh, yeah, baby!" for March Break (some of my international readers may call it Spring Break).  One blissful week off, to do with as I please.  Sigh...

On the healthy living front, I have been doing pretty well.  I am still sitting at seven pounds lost, as I seem to have hit another plateau.  However, I am taking it in stride as I can tell that I am fitter. 

My biggest accomplishment to date is my increasing ability to do push ups.  Six weeks ago ago, I could do five bent-knee push ups, one month ago I upped the tally to ten and as of today I can do eighteen.  Even though they are the sissy push ups, I am still very proud at how much stronger I am getting. 

So, tell me, my little health nuts, how goes the fight?

The Taming of the Arse - Week 8

Week 8 already?  Wow, time has flown since New Year's Day when my new and improved healthy lifestyle began. 

In that time I have managed to lose seven pounds and a bit of body fat.  I can climb stairs now with ease.  My knee, hips and back are feeling fine and I just feel better overall. 

My food choices have improved immeasurably.  I have even gotten to the point that sugary candy holds very little appeal for me.  When I do indulge, I go for the good stuff - high end dark chocolate rather than cheap, waxy chocolate bars.

The only issue I have had is with exercise.  I was into a regular exercise routine, but the last two weeks have not been stellar.  Two weeks ago I spent all week recovering from the previous week's field trip - between exhaustion and work demands, my exercise time was very, very limited.  Then, this past week was a write off because of a nasty head cold.  So, I only had three days with exercise over the past two weeks.  However, I am feeling better now, so I will be back on the work out wagon from today onward.

How are the rest of my healthy living buddies doing?

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Just so you don't wonder if I will ever post about sewing again.  I have a few finished projects to show you.  It's really just a matter of getting some photos together.  So, stay tuned...

The Taming of the Arse - Week 6 & 7

Hello all!  It's been a while!

I returned from the Florida field trip last Sunday and immediately fell into bed.  All week long, I went to work then went to bed.  I guess I was a wee bit exhausted, eh?

So, I had a break from exercising for a few days last week (the week I was on the field trip there was plenty of walking and snorkeling to keep me busy).  Yesterday was the first day that I felt up to doing some exercise.  Boy, did it feel good!

I did manage to keep my eating under control for the most part.  Unfortunately, the food served at the Sea Camp (during the field trip) was processed carb, after processed carb.  And very few veggies to be seen.  When you're used to eating whole grains and heaping portions of vegetables, it's a bit of a shock to the system.  Thankfully, I have returned to my regular eating habits now and my digestive tract is much happier for it.

I am now seven weeks into my new lifestyle.  I have lost six pounds, shaved off some body fat, cleaned up my diet and maintained a regular exercise regimen (for the most part).  I am starting to see progress in the mirror and I am definitely stronger.  Yay, me!

So, folks, tell me how your journey is progressing.

The Taming of the Arse - Week 5

I have had one more week on the health bandwagon.

The bad news is that I am still plateauing.

The good news is that I reducing my body fat percentage.  Over the last five weeks, I have decreased my body fat percentage by 2.5%.  So, although I haven't seen the scale budge in a while, the nasty fat is going away.

Also, keeping me happy is the fact that I am feeling so much better than I did five weeks ago.  I am not winded going up long flights of stairs.  My bad knee (dislocated the little sucker several years back) is feeling stronger and my sciatica hasn't acted up in ages.  I feel younger and healthier and not so cranky all the time.

On the eating front, I have been doing well all week - plenty of veggies, whole grains and lean meats.  However, I will admit that tonight I will be indulging in heaping plates of Chinese food during the Super Bowl (I don't like football, so I need something to keep me interested!).

So, my intrepid buddies, are you still with me?  I sure hope the answer is yes!


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I won't be around at all for the next week.  My colleague, Andrew, and I are taking a group of students to the Florida Keys.  Every couple of years we venture down to Newfound Harbour Marine Institute & Sea Camp for some sun, snorkeling and marine biology. I am not a biologist by any stretch of the imagination, but I always tag along because we are required to have teachers of both sexes along for the ride.  See ya when I get home!