Monday Morning Inspiration/Spring Stripes

Happy Monday Everyone!!!

Did ya miss me?...naaaa ;)
I've been missing in action for about 10 days. Just a lot on my plate, so I decided to be good to myself and just not put too much pressure on myself. What pushed me over the edge was a phone call from my dermatologist. He had taken a sample for a biopsy. When he called with the results, he said that it wasn't good and that he had scheduled me for surgery. While I feel that he is an excellent doctor, his bedside manner can be a little lacking, and as it turns out, it really wasn't so grim. I have an incision with 16 stitches on my right shoulder blade. Initially it was quite painful, not only the incision, but due to where it is, I feel every movement of my arm. But it's much better now. And even better, the sun is shining and we're expecting temps in the 80s, so a great day is ahead!

Do you ever get an idea about something you would like to eat, and then can't get it off your mind until you put the first bite in your mouth? I do, and I'm the same way about something I would like to wear. A little over a week ago, I purchased a pair of black and white striped shoes. I think I need to see about getting another pair as I have worn them at least 3 times in the last week and a half, and I'm wearing them today! Now I want a pair of easy black and white striped pants. Just something floaty and easy to wear. I have a piece of  black and white striped poly, so the pants will soon be in my wardrobe...like...today! 

As you can see, at the moment I am obsessed with stripes. For me, stripes scream spring/summer, and I am ready for the freshness of the season. So here's a few fun pieces that I found and thought you might like too! 

This is just a simple a-line dress with raglan sleeves made interesting with the manipulation of the stripes. 

This dress is eye catching due to the large stripes, but also because of the small stripes in the yoke. Take note that the neckline, armholes and hem are finished with a simple black binding.

The mitered waistline on this little dress is amazing!

 A simple dress that could be recreated with some mitering.

Love this breezy dress. It's been made all the more dramatic with the bias neckline binding and the horizontal stripe around the hem.

A simple black and white bordered scarf  would make this dramatic, but super easy dress.

Adding a pop of color grounds the stripes.

While this is not a stripe, it feels like a stripe. A simple piece of black trim was sewn on top of the princessline seam, and then accented with a second piece of trim. So pretty.

Again, not a traditional stripe, but fun color blocking.

This is just so pretty. 

And a few fun ideas for tops.

I thought I would leave you with this today...

Wishing you a wonderful week!

Rhonda

The Wednesday Showcase

We've all heard, "you don't get anything if you don't ask for it." I think there are so many opportunities, experiences, and even things we would like to have in our lives and yet we are afraid to ask. I know I have found myself more often than not in the afraid to ask category. Are we afraid of being turned down, afraid of voicing what we really want thinking that we might be judged? Of course the questions and possibilities could go on and on. What I think we need to grab hold of is the fact that life is short. We need to grab hold and live it to the fullest, and ask for what we want. Who cares if someone judges us? And even if the answer is no, maybe we need to ask again as we might possibly have simply asked the wrong person. 

Today, I am so happy to be the person who was asked and even happier to grant the wish :) Kinda feels like being a fairy godmother! A while back, I left a message on a Wednesday Showcase post and said that if you have a blog, by all means email me and let me know. I have discovered so many vehicles for discovering who is following my blog, and yet, it can still be so very difficult to find who actually has a blog. I know I am guilty of not attaching my blog address everywhere that I should. 

A few weeks ago, I came across an email in my spam folder which I was so happy that I didn't delete. A young woman named Johanna had left a message and told me about her blog. I love it, a woman who has taken the chance to ask for what she wants.  

So...meet Johanna, an aspiring fashion design student who loves to sew, knit and do just about any creative activity. Her blog is Making It Well which is not only the title of her blog, but the mantra of her life. She was sick for a period of time, has recovered and has made up her mind to be well and sew well. 

I love how she took this vintage pattern and made it look so fresh and new. Check out the back yoke. This is a very pretty feature on the blouse.

Johanna has such a cute sense of style. I love this flirty little dress with the bow tie. So cute! 

She loves to sew for herself, but she also makes some lovely pieces for her mom. Such a pretty wrap dress. It's McCall's 5974.

If you've followed the blog for some time, you know I love a cabled knit. Johanna is a wiz with a pair of knitting needles.

I look forward to seeing where Johanna's life journey takes her. I think it's going to be a great journey :)

A few weeks ago, I did a Monday Morning Inspiration post on stripes for spring. I found this picture of a pair of striped pants where the stripes are off set on purpose. Such a great look! 

Sue at A Colorful Canvas left a link to a fabulous blogger who has made a real life pair of the pants. Her name is Stephanie and you can find her blog at Sea Of Teal. Aren't the pants amazing?!!

Stephanie has been on a real stripe kick. A good thing as she does stripes oh so well.

I especially loved this little dress. Check out how the stripes match perfectly from the top of the dress into the skirt. 

Stephanie loves fashion, photography and sewing. That's like the perfect combination! The jacket and pants featured below are from Burda patterns. 

I typically reserve the Wednesday Showcase for those who are following my blog. As I've said before, my way of saying thank you and to help get the word out about your blogs and to let others know what you are doing.  I may be mistaken, but I don't think that Stephanie follows the blog, but I decided to make an exception as I knew you would enjoy seeing what she does. She really is amazing!

So as you head out today, be sure to think about what you really want out of life...and then start asking. We might all be surprised with what comes our way :)

Happy Wednesday!

Rhonda

Monday Morning Inspiration/Black and White Stripes For Spring

Yesterday was an amazing day here in Chicago, bright, sunny, and warm. There was no way that I could stay indoors! We could have worked in the garden, but my husband has already taken care of the winter clean-up, and it's a bit too early to start planting. So, we threw the dogs in the car and took off for one of my favorite hiking destinations. It was so wonderful to be out in the woods, listening to the birds and even the frogs sing about the fact that spring is on its way. 

When the temperatures begin to turn, of course I begin to think about bright colors, but one combination that just screams spring to me is black and white stripes. They seem fresh and playful, like my spirit :)

The picture below is one that I have saved for quite some time. As I looked at it again, I realized that not only do I love the jacket, I really like the pop of color. 

A pop of color with a black and white stripe, really makes the entire outfit come to life.

Stripes of course lend themselves to so many possibilities for play. I love the idea of taking a simple t-shirt pattern, cutting it apart and playing with the stripes. The dress below would also be cute as a top or shorter dress.  

I love both of the suits below. The manipulation of stripes would make either of these suits look great on any figure.

I love how the simple play of the stripes on both pieces below catches the eye.

Don't be afraid of a little pattern play.

For those of us who sew, something that will immediately catch our attention are unmatched patterns. But look how the intentional unmatching of the stripes adds interest.

Add a little fun  to the yoke of a top.

There's a lot going on in this dress. Personally, I would tone it down a bit, but some great ideas nonetheless.

And finally, I love the stripes going around the body on this super cute pair of pants. Take note of the waistband, the stripes are vertical which draws the attention away from the horizontal stripes, but accents them beautifully as well.

So wherever you are, I hope that you are experiencing some lovely weather that feeds your soul. But if not, throw on some stripes and I bet they'll make you smile. Well, as long as they aren't prison stripes!!!!! Just a joke ;)

Have a wonderful week!

Rhonda